Delhiites to pay more for Auto-rickshaws, fares set to rise by 14.3%

Delhiites will soon have to spare more money if they opt for an auto-rickshaw to commute from one place to another, as the Delhi government appointed fare revision committee, formed in November 2018, has recommended a fare hike. According to the 11-member panel's recommendation, the auto fare in the national capital may go up by as much as 14.3%. According to a report by Hindustan Times, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot is likely to review the data submitted by the committee for the national capital, which has around 98,000 registered auto-rickshaws. 

The report has suggested that auto-rickshaw fares be increased to Rs 9.15 per kilometre as against the current rate of Rs 8 per km, but it has not favoured any change in the flat rate of Rs 25 that is charged for the first two kilometers on auto-rickshaw ride. Earlier, the auto-rickshaw fare in Delhi were revised in 2016.

Earlier in 2016, the present dispensation led by Aam Aadmi Party had tried to change the auto fares. They, however, could not implement the changes after they faced resistance from auto-rickshaw unions, the report said.

Like 2016, this year too, the unions have reportedly alleged that the panel suggestions were not aligned with the government promises. 

The Auto union president told HT that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had met with two of their representatives in July 2018, and the CM had approved their demand of charging Rs 25 for the first kilometre and then Rs 10 per kilometre charge after that. 

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Notably, the fares of gramin sewas, RTVs, eco-friendly cabs have not been revised despite the same for auto-rickshaws. Auto fares were increased in May 2013 by the then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.