HYDERABAD, Nov 18: The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit bench, was told by the motor vehicle inspector on Friday that fare meters had been installed in 478 vehicles.

Sindh’s Additional Advocate-General Masood A. Noorani told the court representing MVT Saeed Kazmi that 482 motor rickshaws were checked for quality of their silencer, smoke emission and installation of fare meters from June 1 to November 15.

He submitted the progress report in the court as per its directives for the period of November 7 to November 15, mentioning that eight, 12 and eight vehicles were checked on November 12, 14 and 15 for issuing of fitness certificates.

DSP Amir Abbas Shah in his consolidated report for the period of June 1 to November 16, stating therein that 781 motor cab rickshaws were without fare meters, 273 were smoke emitting, 745 vehicles were found without fitness certificates.

He said that an amount of Rs187,650 was imposed as fine while 1,799 vehicle were booked.

He said that 971 drivers were issued show-cause notices by officials of the traffic police.

He said the traffic police took action against those drivers who were plying their vehicles without fitness certificates, noisy silencer, smoke-emitting vehicles and without fare meters on the road in clear violation of traffic laws.

Hearing a constitutional petition, a division bench of the court comprising Justice Mohammad Mujeebullah Siddiqui and Justice Mohammad Moosa K. Leghari in May had ordered that the Hyderabad DPO, the Hyderabad MVI should ensure that all rickshaws were fitted with correct fare meters, silencers and free from smoke-emission.

The court earlier rejected compliance report submitted by the MVI and a similar report by the DPO Hyderabad, considering them unsatisfactory.

The petitioner, Mr Abdul Bari, had filed petition, stating that around 10,000 to 15,000 rickshaws were plying in the city but none of them had fare meter.

He prayed the court that the MVI be directed to ensure that meters were fitted on rickshaw and they be issued route permit and fitness certificate after they installed meters.

The general secretary for the Light Transport Rickshaw Drivers Labour Union, Mr Zaman Khan, has become intervener in the matter.