In a move that will bring respite to lakhs of autorickshaw users and augment public transport system in the national Capital, the Transport Ministry is planning to approach Supreme Court to lift the cap on the number of autorickshaws in the city.
The Ministry has started preparations to approach the Supreme Court seeking permits for additional 50,000 autorickshaws in the city; taking the total number to 1.5 lakh from the existing one lakh. Apart from this, in order to facilitate a hassle-free transition between Delhi and its neighbouring States, the State Government is in talks with the neighbouring States to issue 5,500 NCR permits to the autos. Transport Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj today issued orders to release 5,500 inter-state permits for auto-rickshaws to travel within the National Capital Region territory.
According to the transport department officials, permits have been issued to 95,000 autos in the city at present. The Supreme Court had in November 2011 relaxed the cap on auto-rickshaws from 55,000 to 1 lakh. Officials said that once the ban is relaxed, it will benefit everyday users of the autos to their workplaces.
“The move will not only encourage healthy competition among the auto rickshaw drivers and provide a hassle free commute for the auto users. The increase in number of autos on the roads will be able to meet the demands of the public,” said a senior Delhi Government official. Apart from this, 5,500 NCR permits will be issued to achieve a hassle-free commute between Delhi and its neighbouring States.
The move by lifting the present ban on autorickshaws registered in NCR areas such as Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida to enter Delhi and vice versa will address the troubles of lakhs of commuters who have to switch autos to travel beyond Delhi border.
“At present, the autos bearing Delhi registration numbers refuse to ferry passengers beyond Delhi border out of fear of getting prosecuted. Although, it was decided earlier through a mutual consent between Delhi and NCR that the autos and taxis from Delhi and NCR can ferry passengers, it was never followed as the transport department had not issued NCR permits to them. This had left the troubles faced by the passengers unresolved,” added the official.
The move will address the troubles of the commuters who have to switch autos in order to travel beyond Delhi border or the borders of their respective NCR state. Delhi Government had earlier decided to issue 8,000 NCR permits, which could never materialise as the matter hit legal hurdles. These permits will be issued under the mutual understanding between Delhi Government and the Governments of UP and Haryana.