Adding 10000 more auto-rickshaws, very economical and comfortable travel-mode through adequate number of e-rickshaws and spread of metro-rail network in the city has been of much relief to citizens of Delhi especially middle-income group. Now number of cases of auto-rickshaws refusing to move according to fare-meters has considerably come down, though not totally finished. Need is to remove capping on number of auto-rickshaws by issuing licence for auto-rickshaw on demand to everyone having proper driving-licence. It will create a much-desired situation of supply being more than demand. Moreover auto-fares may be fixed in multiples of one rupee for every one-tenth of a kilometre with minimum tariff of Rs 30. Such corrective steps will create a situation where auto-drivers will be demanding reduction in auto-fares. Moreover, all auto-rickshaws should be given license to travel in complete National Capital Region (NCR) without requiring any special permit in this regard.
Biggest advantage will be that at least middle-income group will then avoid use and purchase of cars easing road-traffic in a big way. Thereafter purchase and use of big cars can be further reduced by imposing increased GST-rate on big and luxurious cars.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
