Srinagar commuters decry e-auto fares on par with petrol-run

Srinagar, May 04: Commuters across Srinagar are growing increasingly frustrated with the arbitrary fares charged by electric auto-rickshaws, with many alleging that drivers are charging fares similar to those of petrol-run autos, despite the significantly lower operating costs of electric vehicles.
Residents from areas like Baghat, Hyderpora, Rawalpora, Bemina, Soura, Karan Nagar, Bagh-e-Mehtab, and others, have expressed their concerns over this issue, with several commuters alleging excessively high fares even for short distances.
Majid Andrabi, a resident of Karan Nagar, said, “Every time I take an electric auto, I end up paying the same or more than a petrol one. It’s frustrating, especially when we know electric vehicles are much cheaper to operate. The government needs to address this imbalance.”
Zahid Reshi, a commuter from Baghat, shared a similar frustration, “I was charged Rs 250 for a 3-kilometre ride. When I questioned it, the driver said it was the standard fare. There’s no consistency — it’s all over the place.”
Ashraf Malik from Bemina echoed these concerns. “I own an electric scooter, and the running cost is barely Rs 2 per kilometre. E-autos use a 7.5 kWh battery, and a full charge costs around Rs 40, giving a mileage of 75-85 km. So why are passengers paying the same fare as petrol autos?” he questioned.
Commuters say the lack of a clear fare structure for e-autos, coupled with non-functional meters and weak regulatory oversight, has led to rampant overcharging, leaving passengers at the mercy of drivers who set fares arbitrarily.
Noman Reshi, a resident of Bagh-e-Mehtab, said, “Fare disputes are common, especially on routes with limited public transport. Drivers take advantage of the situation. We have no choice but to accept whatever they demand.”
While complaints about overcharging are widespread, the issue is not exclusive to electric autos. Petrol-run autos have long been accused of similar practices, with many commuters alleging that drivers tamper with meters or refuse to use them altogether.
Although authorities mandated the installation of fare meters in 2016 to ensure fairness and transparency, enforcement has remained weak, with many auto-rickshaws continuing to operate without functional meters. In light of this ongoing issue, Jammu and Kashmir Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan, on January 18, reiterated the directive, stating that all auto-rickshaws must be equipped with functional meters and valid permits. He warned that strict action would be taken against drivers violating these rules. However, despite these repeated directives, effective implementation continues to be a challenge.
Auto-rickshaw drivers, on the other hand, defend their practices, claiming that the current fare structure does not reflect rising costs. Nazir Ahmed, an auto driver, said, “If we follow the meters, we’ll barely earn anything. Inflation is high, and the rates haven’t been revised in a long time.”
It is pertinent to mention that the jurisdiction for revising fares for auto rickshaws comes under The Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir. The enforcement part, however, comes under the Traffic Police City.
Responding to these concerns, Qazi Irfan, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, stated, “We have not received any formal request to revise the rates. Once we do, a committee will be formed to address the issue. However, failing to follow directives is unlawful and cannot be allowed.”
Muzaffar Shah, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, also responded, saying, “The department is actively working to enforce the rules. We have conducted several drives across the city, but a major challenge is that auto drivers often raise concerns about low rates. We have been in discussions with RTO Kashmir on this matter.”
He urged commuters to report such fare-related grievances through the grievance cell portal or directly, ensuring quicker resolution of these issues.
As the issue continues, commuters in Srinagar are urging authorities to implement a clear and distinct fare structure for electric autos, along with stricter enforcement of existing fare regulations, including the mandatory use of fare meters. Until these measures are put in place, passengers will likely continue to face inflated fares with no clear recourse for resolution.