The revised auto-rickshaw and taxi fares in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have come into effect, but digital meters are yet to be updated because of a shortage of the electrical chips required for recalibration, according to a report by Loksatta. The Transport Department has set November 30, 2026, as the deadline for completing the process.
The delay means that thousands of drivers may have to wait before their meters display the revised fares. The Transport Department has held discussions with meter manufacturers and chip suppliers, and production and programming of chips for the new fare structure have begun, the report said. However, limited availability is slowing the recalibration process.
Under the approved procedure, drivers must first have a new chip installed at an authorised meter manufacturer or an authorised centre. The vehicle will then undergo a road test to calibrate the meter. After the test, the Regional Transport Office will seal the meter and issue a passing certificate.
The revised fares will appear on a digital meter only after all three stages are completed. Until recalibration is finished, drivers have been permitted to collect the revised fares using the official fare table approved by the RTO, according to the report.
The process places responsibility on both meter manufacturers and vehicle operators to complete the technical update and obtain the required certification. For passengers, the authorised fare table remains the reference during the transition period, while the physical meter display may continue to show the earlier fare structure until the new chip is installed and the meter is sealed.
The Transport Department’s November 30 deadline is the next formal milestone in the implementation of the revised fare structure. Further progress will depend on the availability of programmed chips and the capacity of authorised centres to complete testing and RTO certification.
