MUMBAI, Aug. 27 -- Commuters across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will have to pay more for autorickshaw and kaali-peeli taxi rides from September 1, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority (MMRTA) approving a fare hike of Rs.1 for autos and Rs.2 for taxis on Wednesday. The minimum fare for CNG-run autorickshaws will rise from Rs.26 to Rs.27, while the base fare for black-and-yellow taxis will increase from Rs.31 to Rs.33. The revised fares will apply to the first 1.5 km. The MMRTA has, however, given auto-rickshaw and taxi owners until November 30 to recalibrate their electronic meters. Those who fail to do so could face penal action from December 1. According to sources, the MMRTA approved the revised fares and laid down guidelines for their implementation on August 26. The revised fares will apply to auto-rickshaws and taxis across the MMR. With the new fares coming into effect from September 1, electronic meters will have to be recalibrated accordingly. Senior Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials said drivers have been given until November 30 to complete the process. "Those who fail to update their meters within the deadline could face penal action from December 1. Until the meters are recalibrated, drivers have been instructed to charge passengers according to the revised fare chart," said a RTO officer. The scale of the exercise could prove challenging. There are currently around 5 lakh registered auto-rickshaws and 45,000 black-and-yellow metered taxis in the MMR. However, only 15 to 20 centres are available across the region for meter testing and recalibration. The unions have claimed that this could pose a major challenge for the RTOs, with such a large number of vehicles required to have their meters recalibrated within just three months. Drivers may also have to wait for appointments at authorised centres, where the process can take considerable time. "Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers who fail to recalibrate their meters by November 30 could face penal action from December 1. A penalty of Rs.50 per day may be imposed on vehicles whose meters have not been updated, subject to a maximum fine of Rs.5,000," said another RTO officer. Night fares attract a 25% surcharge between midnight and 5am. On the revised minimum fares, this works out to Rs.33.75 for an auto and Rs.41.25 for a taxi for the minimum stage....