Besides lifting the ban on new autorickshaw permit, the Transport Department is planning to introduce “short wheelbase buses” (mini buses) to connect housing colonies and bus stands in Chennai.
Transport Minister K.N. Nehru on Thursday told the Assembly that the government had decided to lift the ban taking into consideration that the number of autorickshaws plying in Chennai was very low compared to other cities.
There are 52,000 autorickshaws in Chennai, while Bangalore has 78,000 and Hyderabad 64,000 autorickshaws.
In Chennai, the ban on registration of new autos has been there for 12 years, though the DMK government issued permits for 10,000 autorickshaws since it assumed office.
“From tomorrow autorickshaw permits will be given to qualified candidates across the State,” the Minister said, expressing the hope that the increase in the number of autorickshaws would bring down the auto fare in the city.
Replying to the debate on demand for grants for his department, the Minister said that despite many efforts, including grants for fixing meters, auto drivers were not ready to use meters.
As regards introduction of mini buses in Chennai, Mr. Nehru said the government had no plans to allow private operators. “We have not allowed them in the past and will not do so in the future,” he said.
The Minister said the government had asked Anna University to study the requirement of bus services in Chennai.
Responding to the demands of the members of the House that buses be operated in their routes, Mr. Nehru said in the current financial year 3000 new buses would be introduced. Chennai would get 1000 of these new buses.
The Minister said the government was taking steps to vacate the stay on the order on mini bus operation in the State. “If there are 100 families in an area we will operate a bus. We will issue appropriate order after consulting the Advocate General,” he said.
