Delhi Transport Minister to Hike Auto and Taxi Fares
The transport minister has already approved the recommendations made by the fare revision committee.
Auto and taxi fares in the nation’s capital of Delhi are likely to witness a hike after Kailash Galoot , the transport minister of the capital, approved the recommendations made by the fare revision committee. Since the prices of petrol and diesel went up, auto and taxi drivers have been demanding a hike in the base fare. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s cabinet will take the final decision regarding the matter.
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Expert panel members
According to a report by the Hindustan Times, on 15 April, the Delhi government formed an expert panel that comprises representatives of auto and taxi unions, transport department officials, and commuters as members. The panel was formed after unions warned of going on a strike.
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Revision of fare
According to the fare revisions submitted by the panel in May, the metre-down fare for autos will be INR 30 for 1.5 kilometers, which at present is INR 25. After that, for every kilometer, autos will charge INR 11 compared to the present rate of INR 9.5.
For taxis, the present metre-down fare is INR 25 for two kilometers. However, it is likely to increase to INR 40. For non-AC taxis, the fare may increase from INR 14 to INR 17 per kilometer whereas, for AC cabs, it may increase from INR 16 to INR 20.
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Galoot's words
Galoot said, “I have approved the recommendation of the auto fare revision committee and directed the department to put the cabinet note so that approval of the government can be taken. Comments from law and planning departments have come. The comments of the finance department are awaited,” as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
In Delhi, taxi fares were last revised in 2013, whereas auto fares were last revised in 2019.