Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) The only solution to the problem of auto drivers over-charging passengers is to increase the number of auto rickshaws in the city, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said Monday.

Garg was taking part in an interaction attended by various representatives of resident and market welfare associations.

“An auto costs Rs.1.25 lakh in the showroom, but when it reaches the road the total escalates to around Rs.6.30 lakh due to the auto mafia. It forces the drivers to take loans and in a bid to quickly repay the money they overcharge passengers,” said Garg.

According to him, Delhi has around 55,000 auto-rickshaws and this number must be increased to at least 2.5-3 lakh.

The joint commissioner also said that “people in the city behave only if there is police presence on the roads, which is disgraceful. The society needs to change this attitude”.

Garg added that those travelling in bigger and fancier cars tend to think that they are above the law.

“The minute you pull them up for a violation, they try to influence you with their contacts instead of admitting their fault and paying the fine,” he said.