Autorickshaw-maker to double city quota

Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami had asked Bajaj Auto vice-president C K Rao to ensure availability of autorickshaws in accordance with directions from the Supreme Court.

A meeting between the two was held a week after the city government warned authorised autorickshaw dealers of punitive action if they did not comply with norms while selling the three-wheelers. The warning was issued in the wake of reports of irregularities in the sale of autorickshaws.

Goswami told Rao that the Transport department has been keeping an eye on booking, sale and quantum of stock with the dealers. "The dealers have been instructed to file daily reports on these three points," he said.

Bajaj Auto assured the minister that it would "double its quota of autorickshaws for Delhi with immediate effect". It will also submit daily reports on delivery of autorickshaws to dealers.

"The company has instructed its headquarters to cut short its quota for other states in order to increase the volume for Delhi double. This will facilitate early delivery of autorickshaws. There are around 7,700 applicants on the waiting list," Goswami said.

The minister said the government was committed to add new autorickshaws fitted with GPS devices.

He said over 4,300 GPS-guided autorickshaws have been added to the fleet in the city. At present, the city has a fleet of around 60,000 autorickshaws. The government started the process of issuing 10,000 new autorickshaw permits, a year after the Supreme Court allowed plying of more such vehicles in the city.

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