Commuters relying on auto-rickshaws had to face tough time on Friday as drivers charged exorbitantly high, especially near Kashmere Gate Inter State Bus Stand (ISBT). Moreover, a technical fault on the Red line of Delhi Metro added to their woes as auto drivers took undue advantage of stranded customers.
Even though Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai had said ex-servicemen will be deployed at busiest points of the city to keep a check on such practices, auto drivers refused to go by meters and overcharged commuters while no enforcement teams of Delhi Transport were at the spot as far as Kashmere Gate ISBT is concerned.
When this reporter asked an auto driver to go to Pushp Vihar by meter, he replied, "Will not go by meter, you can pay Rs 450." The normal fare for this route comes to Rs 150-Rs 180. The technical fault on Red line of Delhi Metro gave auto drivers leverage to fleece commuters.
Nehrika, a commuter from Agra landed on ISBT at 2:45 pm to reach Delhi airport. But she couldn't use metro to make her journey. "I was supposed to change metro from New Delhi Railway station for Airport Express but our entry to Kashmere Gate Metro station have been stopped by metro and CRPF official, I have to reach at airport at 3:30," she said.
To reach their destination on time, commuters opted for auto-rikshaws. Many of them were the people who were new to the city and were not aware of DTC routes.
Manika Sharma from Karnal, a rare visitor to Delhi said generally she prefers Delhi metro to reach her destination INA but this time she has to take either DTC bus or auto. "To commute in DTC in hot summer is awful as I am not regular traveller and I am not aware of bus routes and total time taken by DTC. And if I am opting for auto rickshaw, they are charging really high. Although I have my own vehicle, but I avoided because of ongoing odd-even scheme," said Sharma while convincing an auto driver for to go with meter. Since the first day of odd-even clashed with the first day of a long weekend, many Delhiites had planned to move out of the city for a quick get away.