Autofares set to rise again in Mumbai

Auto-rickshaws from Thane and Kalyan are all set to hike their fare as they are not satisfied with the recent fare hike from Rs 11 to Rs 14.

Thane Region Rickshaw Taxi Union has demanded a further hike in minimum tariff to Rs 16. The union members are of the view that there are no compressed natural gas ( CNG) fuelling stations in Kalyan, thereby the auto- rickshaws have to run on petrol, the price of which is touching sky.

"In Mumbai and even Thane city, auto- rickshaws run on CNG. While here in Kalyan, we have no choice but to use petrol to run the vehicle," informed Prakash Pendkar, President of this mahasang. He further added, " Petrol costs Rs 64.69 per litre in Kalyan whereas CNG is available at Rs 32.41 per kilogram.

" The difference in fuel cost comes to around Rs 32.28.

This is the only reason why we have been demanding hike in the minimum fare to Rs 16." Since two months the price of petrol has increased by Rs 7. But all this while there was no hike in the auto rickshaw fare.

" But now it has become difficult to survive with the existing tariff," said Prashant adav, an auto rickshaw driver.

Meanwhile, the union have also raised the share auto rickshaw pricing issue.

In Mumbai the tariff is calculated actual meter reading cost plus 33 per cent divided by three is the share auto price per seat.