Auto-rickshaw drivers go on strike

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar, January 8

A big protest was organised by auto-rickshaw drivers in the city today, badly hitting many commuters. The protest was against the increased amount of money added to the challan that the auto drivers have to pay to get permit to drive in the city locations and CNG (compressed natural gas) fuel to be installed in the auto-rickshaws.

The strike began at 7 in the morning and continued till the evening. The auto drivers marched in different areas like the bus stand, railway station, Jyoti Chowk, Nakodar and other areas where a lot of people board autos for commuting. Kartarpur and Nakodar sub-divisions were also part of the strike.

The auto union president, Ravish Aggarwal, said there was anger among auto drivers regarding the authorities forcing them to have the CNG-operated auto-rickshaws at a short notice and also the cancelling of their permit.

The Traffic police have already diverted so many routes for the auto-rickshaws and have also limited their routes. Auto-drivers had to earlier pay Rs 2,000 a month. Now, according to the new orders, Rs 3,000 is to be charged from them.

Also, many auto drivers claimed that the traffic police was telling them to get the CNG fuel installed in their autos, but there were a few CNG fuel stations in the city, said Davinder Singh, an auto driver.

Meanwhile, the drivers said they welcomed the orders of the High Court, but the state government should come forward to listen to their grievances and resolve their issue.

We have diesel-operated engines in our autos and suddenly shifting to the CNG engines is adding extra burden to our expenses. The authorities should look into the matter and provide 0 per cent loan on new CNG-driven auto-rickshaws. Moreover, subsidies should also be provided to them, said auto-rickshaw driver Ajay Kumar.