Autorickshaws raise fares

CHENNAI: Following a Rs 6 hike (per litre) in the prices of Auto Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) announced by State-owned oil firms on Monday, the third increase this year, auto rickshaw drivers in the city had reportedly revised their charges. Ironically, three- wheelers, which run on petrol and diesel, had also increased fares, taking cover under the LPG price revision.According to estimates, 12,000 of the  almost 61,000 auto rickshaws plying in the city are operated with LPG kits. Thanks to the inadequate number of LPG gas stations, several auto rickshaw drivers switch over to other types of fuel such as petrol and diesel, informed sources claimed. “As far as fare revision is concerned, there is no difference between petrol, diesel or LPG,” said J Seshasinam, general secretary of Tamil Nadu AITUC Auto Drivers Federation. “Every time the rates of fuel go north, drivers operating on any kind of fuel increase the fares. It’s a uniform revision,” he added. For instance, a passenger availing auto rickshaw must shell out more, at least by Rs 100, for commuting between Egmore and Tiruvanmiyur, another auto driver said. LPG used as fuel in automobiles, called Auto LPG, is now priced at Rs 49.72 per litre as against the Rs 43.65 per litre price till last month, which has come against the backdrop of  steep rise in international oil prices.It may be recalled that Auto LPG prices were hiked by almost Rs 3 per litre on March 1, when rates were increased from Rs 40.7 per litre to Rs 43.65 a litre.