The state government on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that close to 6,500 autorickshaws in the city have been fitted with electronic meters following a notification issued in February. The statement was made in a compliance report filed before the court by joint transport commissioner Satish Sahasrabudhhe. The report states that 2,598 new autorickshaws have been fitted with e-meters. The figure for vehicles which have come forward for renewal of fitness certificates is 3,839. Earlier, a petition challenging the notification was moved by the Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union. However, the court had dismissed their plea, noting that modernisation of the existing system must not be opposed even if it were to cause temporary difficulties. Meanwhile, responding to a suggestion by the union, the court on Tuesday asked the state government-appointed Hakim Committee to consider permitting advertisements on autos, similar to buses. Also, as an aside to the case, the bench of Justice P B Majmudar and Justice R D Dhanuka noted, “Autorickshaws too are affected by the hike in petrol prices. With the rise in cost of living, people may have to travel in horse carriages like in the old days.” The state government has now been asked to submit another compliance report by August 1.