Most of the CNG-run auto rickshaws were seen operating in the port city of Chittagong today without fare meters ignoring government directives.

As part of action, police today lodged around 1,000 cases against 1,000 registered auto rickshaws as those were running without any fare meters, Deputy Commissioner (traffic-north) Masud-ul Hasan said.

The DC said they are not taking any steps against the unregistered CNG-run three-wheelers as those are being plied on the basis of the High Court order.

The owners of the unregistered CNGs have lodged several writ petitions with the High Court.

"And we will go for action against the unregistered three-wheelers in line with the court order," he added.

Authorities of the road transport ministry and Chittagong Metropolitan Police have been making announcement for not operating CNG-run-three-wheelers without fare meters.

The city dwellers alleged the drivers of CNG-run auto-rickshaws are not keen to go to the destinations desired by the passengers and not charging fares as per the meters.

Police are harassing the registered CNGs by filing cases and imposing penalty if they find any vehicles without meters, owners said.

On the other hand, law enforcers are not taking any action against hundreds of unregistered auto-rickshaws plying without meters, they added.

Earlier, CMP asked owners and drivers of the CNG-run three-wheelers to standardise meters by February 1. 

CMP traffic division sources said around 13,000 registered and 5,000 unregistered CNG-run three-wheelers are running on the streets across the city. Of these, only 30 to 40 percent are registered and updated with new meters.