Telangana Government Plans Auto Fare Hike, ₹1.50 Lakh Aid for 18,700 Vehicles

The Telangana government has assured auto-rickshaw drivers and workers that it will take concrete steps to address their long-standing demands, with proposals ranging from a revision of fares and a welfare board to permit reforms, insurance coverage and financial assistance for cleaner vehicles.

The assurances were given at a meeting at the Secretariat between Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Labour Minister Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy and representatives of various auto workers’ unions. The ministers held detailed discussions on their demands and reviewed action taken on issues raised at the previous meeting on August 23.

The government said auto fares had not been revised since 2012 and indicated that it was favourably considering an increase in fares in line with current conditions. A committee comprising Transport Department officials and auto union representatives will examine the issue, prepare comprehensive proposals and submit a report. The revised fares will be implemented based on its recommendations.

The government also said it would prioritise the establishment of an Auto Workers’ Welfare Board in coordination with the Labour Department. The proposal will be discussed in the Cabinet, followed by steps to introduce a Bill in the Legislative Assembly.

Another proposal under consideration is a government-backed app for auto drivers on the lines of Ola, Uber and Rapido. The government said a letter had already been sent to the IT Minister regarding the initiative. It also rejected reports that TGSRTC would introduce electric autos under a last-mile connectivity policy, clarifying that no such proposal was currently being discussed.

On regulatory issues, the government promised steps to release the auto-rickshaw permit quota for cases rejected under GO MS No. 263 and for expired permits. It will also address auto licence-category issues on the Sarathi portal and write to the Centre seeking changes to rules concerning autos operated by holders of LMV licences.

A committee will study the state’s aggregator policy, including concerns over white-plate vehicles being used through aggregators. The government also agreed to examine demands for stricter enforcement against autos from other districts operating in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, around 18,700 autos will receive ₹1.50 lakh each for retrofitting to promote cleaner vehicles, involving an estimated ₹200 crore expenditure through inter-departmental coordination.

The government is also working on insurance protection against accidental and natural deaths and is considering an ‘Indiramma Policy’ offering wider coverage. It reiterated its commitment to resolving auto workers’ concerns through coordinated action across departments.