Drastic step by RTO needed
As far as auto rickshaw fare in Navi Mumbai is concerned, Deputy RTO, Vashi, has issued a deadline of October 31 to switch to CNG rates. If CNG rates are implemented from November 1, minimum fare will again drop to Rs 11. Now, that's good news for Navi Mumbai residents. But the question is will the auto rickshaw drivers cooperate? RTO claims that 90% rickshaws in the city are running on CNG and only ten percent autos are yet to switch to CNG. These are the figures given by the RTO. But union leader Kasam Mulani doesn't agree with these figures. According to him there are 40 percent autos which continue to run on petrol. And the drivers of these autos, according to him, will find it extremely tough, in fact impossible, to meet the October 31 deadline to switch to CNG since they have not yet been able to garner funds to buy CNG kits which cost up to Rs 32000. He rightly questions as to how poor drivers can manage such a large amount, unless the government intervenes and decides to give them loan? Also, CNG kits are not available in the market. So the question that arises is whether CNG rates can be implemented this year?
Now in the mean time the auto fare rate has been hiked to Rs 15 for a brief period of 15 days. This is supposed to be a pre-Diwali gift for autos. But what if all the autos which run on petrol don't switch to CNG? Not only the auto fare rate might not come down to Rs 11 but there is a danger of auto fare rate remaining Rs 15 even after October 31. It is the passengers who will have to face the brunt of this hike.
How will RTO ensure that all the autos which run on petrol will switch to CNG by October 31? Have they made any kind of master plan to ensure this? Can they take a drastic step like banning those autos which run on petrol and make installation of CNG kits absolutely compulsory for all rickshaw drivers? If they allow only CNG-run autos to ply within the jurisdiction of NMMC they can go ahead with their plan to bring down the auto fare rate to Rs 11 with effect from November 1.
The last question is will all the auto rickshaw drivers' unions cooperate with RTO in the matter of taking such a drastic step? If these unions cooperate only then can you expect the rickshaw passengers to get relief.
As far as auto rickshaw fare in Navi Mumbai is concerned, Deputy RTO, Vashi, has issued a deadline of October 31 to switch to CNG rates. If CNG rates are implemented from November 1, minimum fare will again drop to Rs 11. Now, that's good news for Navi Mumbai residents. But the question is will the auto rickshaw drivers cooperate? RTO claims that 90% rickshaws in the city are running on CNG and only ten percent autos are yet to switch to CNG. These are the figures given by the RTO. But union leader Kasam Mulani doesn't agree with these figures. According to him there are 40 percent autos which continue to run on petrol. And the drivers of these autos, according to him, will find it extremely tough, in fact impossible, to meet the October 31 deadline to switch to CNG since they have not yet been able to garner funds to buy CNG kits which cost up to Rs 32000. He rightly questions as to how poor drivers can manage such a large amount, unless the government intervenes and decides to give them loan? Also, CNG kits are not available in the market. So the question that arises is whether CNG rates can be implemented this year?
Now in the mean time the auto fare rate has been hiked to Rs 15 for a brief period of 15 days. This is supposed to be a pre-Diwali gift for autos. But what if all the autos which run on petrol don't switch to CNG? Not only the auto fare rate might not come down to Rs 11 but there is a danger of auto fare rate remaining Rs 15 even after October 31. It is the passengers who will have to face the brunt of this hike.
How will RTO ensure that all the autos which run on petrol will switch to CNG by October 31? Have they made any kind of master plan to ensure this? Can they take a drastic step like banning those autos which run on petrol and make installation of CNG kits absolutely compulsory for all rickshaw drivers? If they allow only CNG-run autos to ply within the jurisdiction of NMMC they can go ahead with their plan to bring down the auto fare rate to Rs 11 with effect from November 1.
The last question is will all the auto rickshaw drivers' unions cooperate with RTO in the matter of taking such a drastic step? If these unions cooperate only then can you expect the rickshaw passengers to get relief.
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