Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced that the Telangana government is reviewing the long-standing demand for auto-rickshaw fare revisions. New welfare measures and subsidies for electric conversion were also highlighted.

  • Auto-rickshaw fares have remained unchanged since 2012, prompting a government review.
  • A dedicated Welfare Board for autorickshaw workers will be established soon.
  • ₹1.5 lakh assistance will be provided for retrofitting petrol/diesel autos in Hyderabad.
  • The Mahalakshmi scheme has saved women approximately ₹12,167 crore through free bus travel.

HYDERABAD: In a significant move for the urban transport sector, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced on Tuesday that the state government is actively reviewing the long-pending demand for a revision in autorickshaw fares. Addressing the media at Bus Bhavan, the Minister noted that the current fare structure has not seen an update since 2012, leaving drivers struggling with rising operational costs.

Beyond mere fare adjustments, the Minister outlined a comprehensive support system for the transport community. He revealed that a Welfare Board for autorickshaw workers will be set up shortly to ensure their socio-economic security. Furthermore, to promote green mobility, the government will provide ₹1.5 lakh in assistance to help drivers in Hyderabad retrofit their existing petrol and diesel autorickshaws.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this policy shift is crucial for stabilizing the livelihoods of thousands of unorganized workers in the city. By addressing the decade-old stagnation in fares and simultaneously incentivizing the transition to cleaner energy, the Telangana government is attempting to solve both an economic grievance and an environmental challenge.

Integrating fare revisions with welfare boards and green subsidies represents a holistic approach to urban mobility management.

The Minister also highlighted the transformative impact of the Mahalakshmi scheme, stating that 347.36 crore women have utilized free bus services, resulting in estimated savings of ₹12,167 crore. This scheme has significantly boosted public transport usage among women across the state.

Regarding the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), Prabhakar noted substantial improvements. The corporation has added 2,932 new buses, including 1,024 electric models, and plans to introduce another 2,200 electric buses in the GHZ. The occupancy rates for TGSRTC have seen a healthy jump from 67% to 89%, signaling increased public trust in the state-run service.

In an effort to formalize the gig economy, the government is also exploring a regulatory framework for bike taxis, which would include the introduction of yellow number plates to distinguish them from private vehicles. This move aims to bring safety and accountability to the rapidly growing bike-taxi segment.

Did You Know?: The recent expansion of TGSRTC includes the deployment of over 1,000 electric buses to reduce the carbon footprint of public transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the auto fare revision being discussed now?
The current fare rates have not been revised since 2012, making them outdated given current inflation and fuel costs.

2. What support is available for converting petrol autos?
The government has announced ₹1.5 lakh in assistance for the retrofitment of petrol and diesel autos in Hyderabad.