New Delhi: Passengers commuting from Delhi to cities like Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida can heave a sigh of relief as 5,500 more auto-rickshaws will soon be plying on these routes.
Transport Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday issued orders to release 5,500 inter-state permits for auto-rickshaws to travel within the National Capital Region territory.
"Many people face probelms while commuting from Delhi to Gurgaon, Noida and other NCR regions. Autos and buses are not available in large numbers and the cabs are too expensive. So, we have decided to issue 5,500 inter-state permits for auto-rickshaws to travel within the NCR and this will be implemented soon," Bharadwaj said.
The permits will allow autos to travel from Delhi to Gurgaon in Haryana and from Delhi to Noida in Uttar Pradesh, and back.
These 5500 auto rickshaws are part of 7000 auto-rickshaws NCR scheme which were stuck for a long time due to court cases. The rest 1500 will be dispersed after the cases get settled, he said.
"We are still working on the tariff for such autos as the drivers will have to also pay the tolls and details in this regard is being worked out," the minister said.
He further said the department is also working on the colour coding issue for these auto-rickshaws.
On the issue of rickshaw drivers overcharging people, he said there are illegal auto rickshaws which ply on these routes which overcharge people but now that more rickshaws will be out on roads, this will solve much of the problems.
He said several autorickshaw unions met him today at his office to discuss their problems and also put forth their demands.
To deal the auto mafia, Bharadwaj said supply of auto-rickshaws has to be increased.
No decision has been taken on the CNG pricing issue, he said.
