BENGALURU: While the transport department has exempted electric autos and those running on alternative fuels like methanol and ethanol from requiring permits, auto drivers and unions have demanded that they should be allowed to ply only with permits. They claim that electric autos operating on Bengaluru roads without a permit is cutting into their revenue.
The state transport department in July increased the permits from 1.55 lakh to 2.55 lakh for the next five years. However, in the absence of permits for e-autos, hundreds are getting on road every day, thus increasing congestion in the city, unions rued.
They alleged that while the permit charge is Rs 750, the process involved in getting one, such as the middlemen fee, greasing the hands of officials, all add up to about Rs 40,000.
Speaking to TNIE, general secretary of Auto Rickshaw Driver’s Union (ARDU) said “Currently, there are no permit regulations for e-autos. As a result, anyone can buy an electric auto and start operating. It’s not just individuals but companies are purchasing e-autos in bulk and deploying them by hiring people.”
Echoing similar sentiments, M Manjunath, president of the Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Union said there is no level playing field as traditional autos have to follow the rules and get a permit, while e-autos do not need anything at all.
Further, Manjunath also drew parallels with ride-hailing in Bengaluru. “When ride-hailing apps entered the city, they promised a steady income of up to Rs 1 lakh per month, which turned out to be false. Now, companies are heavily investing in e-autos to dominate the market. Since e-autos don’t require permits, these companies are sidelining traditional autos. Once done, they will charge as per their whims and fancies,” he said.
Both Rudra Murthy and Manjunath emphasised that e-autos are significantly affecting the income of traditional auto drivers. While there is no exact data on the number of e-autos operating in the city without permit, auto unions said there may be over 5,000 and the numbers are mulitiplying every day, with companies buying e-autos in hundreds.
Officials from the transport department confirmed that permits are mandatory for commercial vehicles such as contract carriers, stage carriers, goods vehicles, cabs and autos. However, in 2018, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways exempted electric vehicles and those running on biofuels from requiring permits. The state transport department implemented the same policy. Officials acknowledged receiving requests to regulate e-autos through permits and stated that discussions on the matter are ongoing.