MMR auto, taxi meter recalibration starts Monday at ₹700

Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region can take their vehicles to authorised centres from Monday to recalibrate electronic meters for revised fares. The transport department has set the charge at ₹700 per vehicle.

The revised fares took effect on September 1. The minimum auto fare rose from ₹26 to ₹27, while the minimum taxi fare rose from ₹31 to ₹33 for the first 1.5 km. Until their meters are updated, drivers can use authorised tariff cards.

Recalibration is expected to take two to three days after a vehicle reaches a centre, auto and taxi union leader Thampi Kurien said. Drivers must complete the process by November 30; delays after that can attract daily departmental penalties.

Centres can issue certificates only for vehicles within their jurisdiction. The department has required CCTV coverage, computer-generated bills carrying meter seal numbers, and records of replacement chips used in the process. Officials have also been directed to ensure drivers are not charged more than ₹700.