Permits for 1300 auto-rickshaws likely to be distributed

Transport Department is likely to start distribution of permits for nearly 1300 auto-rickshaws in the city. According to Senior Transport official, nearly 8,700 auto-rickshaws permits were distributed last year. Delhi government had announced 1000 auto-rickshaws in 2015 . The process was stuck for the last six months as the AAP government re-examined the 20,000 applications it had received.

“The permits were reexamined to avoid duplicity and were allotted only to those having valid driving licenses and public service vehicles (PSV) badges,” Transport official said. The is likely to be notified a fresh application within Week. It was the ruling AAP'S pet project, as auto-drivers had played a big role in its coming to power.

The Supreme Court had permitted 45,000 autorickshaws in 2012. At that time, only 55,000 auto-rickshaws were plying on the city roads. If these 10,000 autos hit the roads, it will touch the cap of the one lakh autos. The Transport Department had changed the policy for allotment of the permits after which no driver , who previously had a permit to drive an autorickshaw in their name, could be considered for a fresh permit.

Some Auto Union leaders have talked with Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and sorted out problems. “Some Auto-rickshaw drivers are facing problems, who wanted to replace their vehicles after the completion of 15-year tenure, but could not do so as several other auto were found ‘illegally' registered in their names in the computer database,” said Burari Transport Officer.