Metro Mitra app launch faces uncertainty amid union disavowal

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: In a surprising tur n of events, top officials from the Autorickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) and the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) have vehemently denied any involvement with the launch of the Metro Mitra app in the city, which was scheduled for Wednesday.

The Metro Mitra app operates on a unique QR code scanning system and does not require users to download it.

However, News Trail has discovered that there are no QR code scanning spots at the metro stations where the app was supposed to undergo pilot testing, specifically at Jayanagar and Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road metro stations.

When questioned about the app's launch, Basavaraju, General Secretary of ARDU, and Srinivas N, Vice President of ARDU and CITU, emphatically stated that they had no knowledge or involvement in the Metro Mitra app initiative.

They alleged that the app was a sham and had not been discussed with either the unions or the government. Basavaraju expressed concern that false information was being disseminated to deceive and defraud people, and he raised issues about the unauthorised collection of auto drivers' data.

Originally intended to be developed by the government, Basavaraju and Srinivas claimed that this app was being pursued without any necessary permissions from authorities.

ARDU, the organisation behind the Namma Yatri app, distanced itself from the Metro Mitra app, asserting that the developers had not approached the union or discussed the app with them.

As a result of these developments, the launch of the Metro Mitra app has been postponed indefinitely due to operational issues.

The primary objective of the app was to facilitate last-mile connectivity from Metro stations, with fares calculated based on the autorickshaw meter, along with an additional Rs 10 charge to cover operational expenses.