The State government has agreed to increase the minimum autorickshaw fare from Rs. 14 to Rs. 16 in the State capital.
Fare for every subsequent kilometre travelled has also been increased from Rs. 8 to Rs. 9.
The new rates are likely to come into effect in a week once an official order is issued.
Meeting held
The decision to revise fares was taken at a meeting held with the auto unions at Transport Bhavan in Khairatabad on Tuesday. Transport Minister Botcha Satyanarayana chaired the meeting which was attended by senior officials from transport and traffic departments.
Fuel price hike
Citing increase in fuel prices, the auto unions had been seeking an increase in the fares and had even held demonstrations while lobbying with the government. “The Minister has agreed to increase the minimum fares and an order is likely to be issued on August 20,” said Additional Transport Commissioner P. Srinivas.
“Last time the fares were revised in December 2010 and since then petrol and LPG prices have increased drastically. We are happy that the government has finally accepted our demand,” said All India Trade Union Congress city secretary B. Venkatesam.
The Minister also instructed the authorities to study the proposal to set up a welfare board for auto and motor operators and other demands, he said.
There were about 20 recognised auto unions. While a majority of them accepted the new fares, others wanted the minimum fare to be increased to Rs.20.
“Minimum fare in cities like Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Delhi is Rs.19. The petrol cost in Hyderabad is much higher than other cities so it should be at least Rs.20. We will launch an agitation if our demand is not conceded,” said Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh secretary A. Ravi Shankar.
