New Delhi: With recent CNG price hikes pinching auto-rickshaw drivers resulting in many of them refusing to go by fare meters, commuters in the city say daily travel is increasingly turning into haggling matches on roads. Between May 15 and 17, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) raised CNG rates in Delhi twice — from Rs 77.09 a kg to Rs 80.09 — pushing it past the 80-rupee mark for the first time in the city. Many passengers are claiming that auto drivers are citing rising fuel prices to justify “arbitrary” fares.
Raising concerns over alleged overcharging, harassment and passenger safety, Warrior Moms, a network of mothers advocating for clean air and safer public spaces, has written to Delhi govt, demanding stricter enforcement of fare meters and safety norms in autorickshaws. “It’s becoming difficult to take an auto every day. Drivers hardly ever switch on the meter, and are now demanding arbitrary fares,” said Simrit Kaur, 34. She recalled being recently charged Rs 100 for a short ride from Lajpat Nagar to Defence Colony, which normally costs around Rs 50. “My child was with me and I was short on time, so I had no option but to pay extra,” she said.
Jyoti Shastri, a resident of Kotla Mubarakpur, said the predictability that was once associated with this mode of transport is missing. “Earlier, there was some clarity. Drivers mostly went by the meter and the rate card. Now, the meters are locked or not functional. Every ride has become stressful,” she said. In its letter to govt, Warrior Moms stated, “The issue goes beyond inconvenience and directly impacts the safety and dignity of women, children, students and senior citizens.”
Delhi’s auto fares were last revised in Jan 2023, when the transport department fixed fares at Rs 30 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 11 for every subsequent km, with all meters meant to be recalibrated accordingly, the group pointed out. However, no fare revision has since taken place despite rising operational costs, contributing to resentment among drivers and their widespread refusal to use the meters, it noted. Citing Rule 74 of Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993, the collective pointed out that all autorickshaws are legally required to have and use functional meters. Yet refusal to use them has become routine, particularly after 2018, forcing passengers into arbitrary negotiations.
The group also flagged poor implementation of GPS-linked electronic meters and weak enforcement of driver identification norms, including uniforms and visible badges. It called for stricter surprise checks, mandatory annual meter verification, stronger penalties for violations, full GPS activation and the revival of gender sensitisation programmes for drivers. “As women and mothers are fighting for a safer and more liveable Delhi, we believe transparent and regulated autorickshaw services are essential for women’s safety and daily mobility. With rising fuel prices, incidents of overcharging have also increased, though the problem existed earlier as well. Certain measures must now be taken to strike a balance between commuters and drivers,” said Bhavreen Kandhari, environmentalist and co-founder of Warrior Moms.
Vatsala Jain, a Delhi University student, said the issue particularly affects young women who are dependent on public transport. “If govt wants people to choose public transport over private cars, commuting has to become fair, predictable and safe,” she said.
