Kolkata, 24 March (H.S.): After the recent increase in cooking gas prices, the continuous rise in the cost of auto fuel (auto gas) has now put three-wheeler drivers under financial strain in the city. Following an increase of about ₹13 per litre in auto gas prices within just one week, auto fares on several key routes have been raised by ₹5 to ₹10 from Monday. The hike has added to the financial burden of daily commuters at the start of the week and triggered dissatisfaction among regular passengers.
According to available information, the price of auto gas was ₹62.68 per litre till last Wednesday, which increased to ₹70.68 per litre from Friday. Just a week before that, the price had already gone up by ₹5 per litre, taking the total increase in fuel costs to ₹13 within a short span.
The impact of the fare hike has been clearly visible on the Ultadanga–Salt Lake Sector V route, where commuters have been paying ₹5 extra since Tuesday. As per a notice put up at the Ultadanga auto stand, the fare from Ultadanga to Sector V has been increased to ₹40, while the fare up to 12 Number Tank or Susrut Hospital has been raised from ₹25 to ₹30. However, the union has indicated that fares may be reduced if gas prices decline or supply conditions improve.
A similar trend has been observed across North and South Kolkata. Fares on the Phoolbagan–Girish Park and Maniktala routes have increased by ₹2 to ₹3, while passengers have complained that fares from Sinthee More to Dum Dum station have been raised from ₹10 to ₹15.
In South Kolkata, unions have not officially announced fare hikes on routes such as Gariahat–Garia, Tollygunge–Jadavpur, Ranikuthi–Baghajatin, Park Circus–Dharmatala, Joka–Taratala and Tollygunge Phari–Thakurpukur. However, there have been allegations that some drivers are informally charging ₹5 to ₹10 extra.
Tanaya Chowdhury, an employee of an information technology firm in Sector V, said the sudden increase in travel expenses would affect her monthly budget and called for government intervention in the matter.
Auto unions have defended the move, saying the fare hike was unavoidable due to rising operational costs. A Salt Lake auto union leader said that reduced supply in the international gas market has caused abnormal price increases, making it difficult to operate at previous fare rates. Another union representative from the Golpark–Garia route said that although no formal decision had been taken, several drivers were charging higher fares due to cost pressures.
A senior official of the state Transport Department admitted that there is no clear legal framework to regulate auto fares, and unions often fix fares independently. However, the department said it is monitoring the situation.
Transport experts believe that commuters are unlikely to get relief anytime soon as rising fuel prices continue to put pressure on urban transport costs.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
