NCR auto service launched in Ghaziabad

GHAZIABAD: State transport minister Ganga Prasad Yadav launched the NCR auto scheme in the city on Sunday afternoon with 26 autos, which will be allowed to ferry passengers to and from Delhi.
Permits to ply all over NCR have been handed only to those autos that meet stringent eligibility criteria set by the transport department, said regional transport officer Mayank Jyoti.For instance, every auto has been fitted with a GPS device and panic button to increase passenger security.
“The police control room will be able to track the location of these autos with the GPS system. In case of any trouble, a passenger can press the panic button and the police will locate and help the passenger,” said Jyoti, adding that all autos will also be equipped with a mini fire extinguisher.
Jyoti said, of the 26 auto permits, 21 have been given to drivers from Ghaziabad and five to ones from Noida. “The permits have been countersigned by the Delhi Transport Authority, and the autos can ply all over the National Capital Territory right away,” he said.
The drivers said they have been assured by the transport department that fares would be revised soon to bring them on a par with rates in the capital. Currently, the fare in Noida and Ghaziabad is Rs 6.86 for the first kilometre, followed by Rs 5.5 for every subsequent kilometre. In Delhi, the minimum fare is Rs 25 for the first 2 km, followed by Rs 8 for every subsequent kilometre.
Instead of launching operations on Sunday, the auto drivers gathered at a Mohan Nagar temple to pray for success in their new venture. Shailesh, an auto driver, said they will start work from Monday. He said he expected most drivers to operate near the Delhi-Ghaziabad and Delhi-Noida borders, where most inter-state passengers are to be found.
“The department will issue a total of 5,000 permits to Ghaziabad and Noida applicants. Of these, 2,000 will be available for Ghaziabad and another 2,000 for Noida. Apart from these, a thousand permits will be issued to auto operators who will go to Faridabad and Haryana,” he said.