Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 21 2010:
Passenger transport service in the city was severely hit for the second day today as diesel auto-rickshaws and Tata Magic services were off the road over the fare rate impasse.
The passenger service of diesel auto-rickshaws and Tata Magic vehicles had been suspended since Friday when they were asked to reduce fare rates, which they had increased during the prolonged scarcity of vehicle fuel, resulting from the prolonged economic blockade on the national highways in Manipur.
Mention may be made that prices of petrol and diesel in Manipur were hiked upto Rs 120 and Rs 80 per litre during the 68-day long economic blockade During this time, passengers fares was doubeld.
With oil filling stations opened and government having stopped rationing petrol and diesel, many civil organisations wanted the fares to fall back to the pre economic blockade rates.
Drivers of auto and Tata Magic passenger buses are not willing to reduce the fares rate citing that fuel price bean already raised and prices of essential commodities are yet to come down.
They also said pressures exerted by civil organisations to reduce the fare rate is tantamount to suppressing the right of the drivers.
Besides this, fuel is not available in plenty and the cost of spare parts of autos and Tata Magic vases have also been hiked in the local market.
On the other hand, auto and Tata Magic drivers servicing the Tidim road also rejected the proposed reduction of fare rates and also resolved to continue suspension of their services till an agreement is reached about on the matter.
With no city bus services in Imphal, auto-rickshaw and Tata Magic play a key role in passenger transport.
Apart from Imphal city, they also ply between Imphal and some of other valley districts like Bishnupur and Thoubal.