GPS installation cost unbearable, say auto owners

In a meeting with Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami, the unions said the auto owners will not be able to install the GPS device selected by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Ltd which costs Rs 13,500.

"We told the Minister that the auto rickshaw owners will not be able to buy the device as it is too costly," Rajendra Soni, General Secretary of Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh Auto Union said.

He said the unions have suggested to the minister that a chip may be installed in the existing fare metres which may act like a GPS device. "Putting a chip in the existing metres will cost around Rs 2,000 which we are ready to pay."

The Delhi High Court last week rejected the plea by the auto rickshaw unions opposing the city government's notification for installation of GPS in the three wheelers.

The court had rejected the auto drivers' argument that the government's decision is "discriminatory and arbitrary" and had said, "Installation of GPS would create a proof/evidence of the route taken by the auto rickshaw drivers."

The government has been pushing hard for installation of GPS in the auto rickshaws to ensure better services to the commuters.

Asked about response of the Minister, Soni said that he assured to look into the matter sympathetically.

The auto rickshaw unions also demanded a substantial hike in tariff arguing that cost of CNG has gone up manifold in the last two years. The auto fares were last increased in June 2010.