26000 over auto drivers in city

There are more than 26.500 auto-rickshaws in the city including authorized, unauthorized, without license, scrapped ones, Ape and even with duplicate number plates. About 5 to 8 people are dependent on an auto for their livelihood. Thus, more than 2 lak drivers complain that the vocation is losing its honesty. An auto runs 22 kms on petrol and oil worth Rs 82. They need at least 4 liters to work in a shift of 8 hours. A driver can earn Rs 580 if he uses a meter with baseline charge of Rs 12. Out of that Rs 350 are spent residents rely on the business of auto rickshaws in the city.

Meters not in use many auto drivers are earning their livelihood by driving auto for the last 20- 25 years. But they are now fed up with the vocation due to increasing competition. With every passing day, the 'wrong' people are entering the profession. Most of the on fuel and at the end of the day he earns Rs 150. Given this economics and the low profit margin, almost 99 per cent auto drivers are reluctant to use meters at all. Roads in bad shape The maintenance expenses of the autos have increased due to the bad condition of the roads in the city. Drivers have to keep at least Rs 1000 aside for repairs and maintenance a month. The drivers tend to drive in the middle of the road to avoid the potholes rather than at the sidelines which add to traffic problems.

Duplicate spare parts Earlier, life of a tyre used to be at least 2 years which has now been reduced to I year as most of the spare parts available in the city shops are duplicate. The shop owners claim that they sell only original parts. But most of the parts are duplicate and substandard. More overheads Most of the auto drivers are finding it difficult to meet both the ends tithe increasing expenses. They have to pay Rs 350 towards license renewal fees, Its 1040 as environment tax, Its 100 for PUC, Its 3,500 for third party insurance, Its 5000 for full insurance and so on. Under such circumstances, supporting a family of 5 to 8 members is very tough. License holders There are 17,500 license holder auto drivers in the city They are willing to do ethical business and use meters. But the situation does not permit this. Most of them do not like to run the auto on a share basis and are forced to do business with little profit margin Electronic meter The government is insisting on the use of electronic meters but different meters available in the market show different values.

They are not standardized which has raised a question as to how these manufacturers got the license. Only 7,000 authorized autos There are only 7000 authorized autos in the city. Traffic police and RTO do not take any action against them. But apart from them there are many unauthorized ones plying the city streets. Many drivers, who have license for rural areas, run their vehicles within the city limits.

Via : L.T. Aura