Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) People in the Indian capital will have to shell out a lot more to travel by autos and taxis, with the government Monday saying the new tariff will be announced “in a day or two”.
“We discussed a proposal to hike the fares in the cabinet and approved it. The transport department will announce the new rates in a day or two,” Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters.

But the chief minister ruled out any increase in bus fares.

According to a government source, commuters travelling by autos are likely to be charged Rs.20 for the first two kilometres and Rs.6.50 for each subsequent kilometre.

At present, autos charge Rs.10 for the first kilometre and Rs.4.50 for each subsequent kilometre.

Similarly, the tariff for taxis is likely to be increased to Rs.25 for the first two kilometres instead of Rs.15 charged for the first kilometre now.

The subsequent charges are likely to be Rs.13 per km, up from Rs.8.50 now.

The proposed fare hikes following a rise in prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) from Rs.21.90 to Rs.27.60.

An auto union welcomed the proposed fare structure.

“The (new) fares (are) fine,” Ashok Kumar Tiwari, vice president of the Bhartia Tipahiya Chalak Sangh Congress, told IANS.

Earlier, Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely met auto and taxi unions who are clamouring for new fares to meet the cost of fuel and food items.