Despite revised rate list,challans issued,auto rickshaw drivers continue to fleece commuters

A majority of auto rickshaws plying in the city either do not have meters or the drivers refuse to charge by them. Even diesel autos continue to ply readily on the city roads,despite the UT Administration banning their registration in 2008. However,most of such autos enter the city from Panchkula and Mohali.

Anil Malhotra,who works at an event management company said,“I pay around Rs 150 to go to my office in Sector 41 from my residence in Sector 20. The auto rickshaw drivers refuse to ply by the meter and fleece”.

Moreover,drivers charge whooping fares under the marquee of ‘night charge’. “At times I pay around Rs 200 to travel between Sector-17 ISBT and the railway station,” said Anil Walia,a businessman,who lives near the station and generally returns home late at night.

“I feel that the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) should increase the frequency and coverage of its buses running at night,” said retired bank official Ravinder Singh,suggesting it to be a solution to eliminate the ‘night charge’ system of auto rickshaws. Several cases of scuffle between passengers and auto drivers over fares have been reported.

According to the State Transport Authority,there are over 2,900 registered LPG autos and around 2,200 diesel and petrol autos. All LPG autos have been fitted with a running meter.

Auto drivers have their own set of woes. Rajesh Kumar,owner of an LPG auto,demanded that the government should either ban diesel autos in the city or fix a meter in them as well. “Diesel vehicles do not have meters and drivers overcharge the commuters. Charging by the meter will earn us less than what the diesel vehicle owners earn.

Balbir Singh Dhol,Secretary of State Transport Authority,said,“All registered LPG autos were provided with the upgraded rate list,around two weeks back”. He added the drivers had sought time of 10 to 15 days to get their meters upgraded. When asked about the diesel auto menace from Panchkula and Mohali,Dhol said,“We cannot stop them,as there are numerous entry and exit points in Chandigarh”.

He also said that STA had proposed to the Punjab and Haryana governments to issue a collaborative permit only for LPG vehicles to ply in the Tricity. He further said that permit issue for diesel autos was subjudice and proper steps would be taken in accordance with the judgment of the court.