Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) People in the national capital will have to shell out more for auto and taxi fares, with the Delhi government Monday clearing the proposal in this regard. The revised fares will be announced in a day or two.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced the fare hike after the cabinet meeting here.

“The revised prices will be announced in a day or two. There will no increase in bus fares,” Dikshit told reporters.

Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely held discussions with auto and taxi associations before deciding about the fare hike, she added.

According to sources, the fare charge for taxis and autos for the first kilometre is proposed to be increased by Rs.5 and for the rest it may be hiked by about 30-35 percent.

At present, autos charge Rs.10 for the first kilometre and thereafter Rs.4.50 for each subsequent kilometre. Likewise, for taxis, the charge for the first kilometre is Rs.15 and Rs.8.50 for subsequent kilometres.

The unions want the state government to nearly double the auto and taxi fares following increase in CNG prices from RS.21.90 to Rs.27.60.

The auto unions say that tariff in Delhi is very low as compared to Chennai and Mumbai.

“We have demanded Rs.20 for the first kilometre and Rs.8 for each subsequent kilometre. We are waiting for government’s decision over the fare, which is likely to be announced Tuesday,” Ashok Kumar Tiwari, vice president of auto association Bhartia Tipahiya Chalak Sangh Congress, said.