India, Oct. 14 -- Ahead of local body polls, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday announced that auto rickshaws in Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) will have to run on meter and charge passengers as per the rates set by the state government, from November 15 onwards.

For years now, auto-rickshaw passengers in the region have been facing issues with drivers charging exorbitant rates even for short distances. Following several complaints from residents, BJP MLA from Vasai Sneha Dube on Monday approached Sarnaik, requesting him to look into the matter. Subsequently, he called for a meeting with officials from the transport department and traffic police from the Vasai-Virar region.

In the meeting, Dube highlighted...