With the prices of the compressed natural gas (CNG) getting slashed in the national Capital by 30 per cent from midnight, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced that the Government will devise a formula to regulate auto fares as per inflation. “If inflation falls, auto fares will be slashed. Fares will see an upward trend if inflation jumps. Fares will be revised every year on April 1,” said Kejriwal, while addressing the gathering of over 5,000 auto drivers, grameen sewa drivers and phat phat sewa operators at the mahasabha.
In a huge reprieve to lakhs of commuters from NCR areas, he added that 5,500 NCR auto permits will be issued for hassle-free transition between Delhi and adjoining areas. “The number of NCR autos can be increased as per needs. A policy is being prepared by the Government for autorickshaws fitted with fare meters to get GPS installed separately. This will place less burden on the auto drivers who will not have to shell out an exorbitant Rs 18,000 to get a GPS meter fixed,” he said, in order to placate autorickshaw drivers, who have been loyal supporters of the Kejriwal Government.
In order to allot dedicated halting points to autos, Transport Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said 550 places have been intimated to the PWD and three corporations to port Halt and Go signage for autorickshaws and taxicabs.
He suggested auto drivers display to and fro signages so that no case of refusing passengers can be slapped on them. “The helpline number 420400400 will be started within a week to not only address complaints by auto drivers but passengers as well. If a passenger calls on this number and complains against an auto driver, we will try and find a solution mutually on this number. If a solution cannot be devised, action will be taken against the defaulter,” he said.