Auto-rickshaw fares in Delhi hiked by 18.75 pct; metre down charge will be Rs 25 for first 1.5 km now

Delhi government today notified new auto-rickshaw fares, effecting a 18.75-per cent increase on existing rates, to meet the demands of owners and drivers of over 90,000 auto-rickshaws plying in the national capital, as they had played a crucial role in the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). 

Under the revised rates, the metre down charge will be Rs 25 for the first 1.5 km, instead of existing 2 km. The per km charge has also been increased from existing Rs 8 to Rs 9.5, which is a hike of around 18.75 per cent, said a PTI report, adding that the notification introduces waiting charge at the rate of Rs 0.75 per minute if an auto is caught up at a traffic signal. Luggage charges will be Rs 7.50.

Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot also gave this information tweeting as, "@ArvindKejriwal govt fulfils its key promise. Transport Department has notified revision of auto-rickshaw fares. After revision also, auto fares in Delhi to remain lower than other metro cities." 

.@ArvindKejriwal govt fulfills its key promise. Transport Department has notified revision of autorickshaw fares
After revision also, auto fares in Delhi to remain lower than other metro cities. @AamAadmiParty @AAPDelhi pic.twitter.com/9ursOOlvXG

— Kailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) June 12, 2019

The notification on revised fare structure was reportedly forwarded to the State Transport Authority (STA) by the Transport Department. The issue of the notification was delayed after officials objected to it saying that the Lieutenant Governor's approval was needed for the notification, the report said, adding that it was finally issued on approval of Gahlot, following a Law Department opinion that the Lt Governor's nod was not needed for it.

"Auto-rickshaw drivers will be able to charge the revised rates after necessary re-calibration of fare meters. It will take around 1.5 months for re-calibration of meters in over 90,000 autos registered in Delhi," a senior Transport Department official told PTI.

A Delhi government spokesperson stated that the notification on auto fare revision is a "mandatory and irreversible directive" to the STA to implement the cabinet decision. After completing due formalities, the STA will implement the decision at the earliest, he added.