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Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, May 25
Auto rickshaws may have been allowed to ply again, but the two-passenger norm makes operations financially unviable, claim owners and drivers.
Anuj, an auto driver, said social distancing was coming at a big price for them. “Covid has affected our lives badly. We were sitting at home for two months, now we have been permitted to ply autos but with the restriction of two passengers at a time. Fare paid by two passengers does not even cover fuel cost. I was carrying three passengers and was challaned by the police,” he said, adding that it was very tough to survive in such circumstances.
We’ve been permitted to ply autos but with two passengers at a time. Fare paid by two passengers doesn’t even cover fuel cost. Recently, the police challaned me for carrying three passengers. It’s quite tough to survive in such circumstances.
Anuj, Auto Driver
Sahid, another driver, said he, like many others, has loan instalments to pay and the company will take away vehicles if he failed to deposit the amount. “The government must extend support to all auto drivers. If current circumstances prevail, I will have no option but to sell my auto rickshaw.”
Vikram narrated a similar story. He said when he asked customers for higher fare to make up for the loss, they start arguing. “The government must allow at least four passengers so we would meet some expenses.”
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