Earlier, several auto unions in the city had sought an extension to the December 31 deadline which was issued by the district transport department. However, the officials have ignored their pleas. The order for phasing out diesel-powered autos was issued in July this year.
East Singhbhum’s district transport officer Dinesh Kumar Ranjan said, “The deadline will not be extended (beyond December 31). We will hold meetings with the autorickshaw owners and their unions to ensure that the target is achieved within the specified timeframe.”
Ranjan’s stand will mean that auto owners have 20 days left to convert their autos to CNG or purchase new CNG-powered vehicles.
Auto associations claimed there are close to 13,500 autos plying on the streets of Jamshedpur at the moment and of them, nearly 10,000 are diesel-powered.
As per the DTO’s office, there are 500 CNG autos at the moment.
Jamshedpur Tempo Chalak Union president Pawan Pandey said they have written to state transport secretary praying for an extension of the deadline. “Auto owners are not financially well-off to purchase new vehicles in such short notice,” Pandey said.
Old vehicles will need draw investments worth Rs 30,000 for new CNG kit.
Shyam Kinkar Jha, the president of another auto union named Sikshit Berojgar Tempo Chalak Sangh, said operators are reeling from the financial losses they suffered during the lockdowns and are struggling to stay afloat due to the rise in fuel prices.
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Stating that the diesel fare has surged, auto drivers said that they have no other option than to seek additional fare from the customers.
