Around 13,000 CNG-run auto rickshaws in Chittagong city have to start charging fares on meters tomorrow, an initiative aimed at curbing overcharging.

The city dwellers welcomed the decision of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) but some doubted whether it would materialise.

 CMP gave the auto-rickshaw drivers and owners time till February 1 for calibration (installation of meters), said CMP sources.

"The initiative will reduce our sufferings caused by overcharging," said Hosne Ara Begum, a house wife and commuter of Lal Khan Bazar.

However, Bishumoy Dev, a lawyer of Chittagong court, said CMP had introduced the meter system earlier but it did not continue.

Deputy Commissioner (traffic-north) of CMP Masud-ul-Hasan said they would take stern action against the drivers if meters were not found in their auto-rickshaws.

"We have met with owners and drivers several times, and a committee was formed to monitor installation of the meters," said Masud, also head of Meter Calibration Monitoring Committee.

Through nine government-approved dealers, calibration is going on in full swing, with meters being installed in 600 to 700 auto-rickshaws per day, he said.

Haider Azam Chowdhury, president of Chittagong Metropolitan CNG-Auto Rickshaw Malik Chalak Oikya Parishad, said the meter system had been introduced in 2011.

"At that time, Tk 12 had been fixed for first 2km; later it was refixed at Tk 25. But the decision could not be implemented due to a hike of gas prices," he added.

Azam claimed that many unregistered auto-rickshaws were plying the city streets, and urged action against those. According to the new rules of CMP, auto-rickshaws will take Tk 40 for the first 2km and then Tk 12 for every 1km, said CMP sources.