Kolkata: Autorickshaws hiked their fare on several routes across the city ahead of Chaturthi (Oct 14), when they have to go off the roads in accordance with a directive from Kolkata Police that aims to regulate their movement from around 3 pm. The directive will stay effective till Ekadashi (Oct 22). On most of the routes, the fares increased by Rs 3 to Rs 5.During the morning hours by Shasthi, there is a possibility of the auto fares getting double. While this has been a usual affair during Durga Puja over the past few years, this time the fare has increased from Mahalaya (Oct 10) itself, complain commuters.A case in point: commuters have alleged that auto rides on Ultadanga-to-Hatibagan route turned costlier by about Rs 5 on Saturday (Mahalaya). Similarly, the tariff also allegedly spiked from Rs 10 to Rs 15 on Sinthee-Dum Dum route.At the other end of the city, the situation is the same. While travelling from Kasba to Gariahat, the usual fare is Rs 17. The autos on this route are charging Rs 20. Similarly, the fare for auto rides from New Alipore to Behala Police Station, which is usually Rs 25, has now increased to Rs 30.Auto drivers claim they avoid the direct route from Ultadanga to Khanna, Hatibagan or Sovabazar. The auto routes from Ultadanga to BK Pal or Ahiritola Launch Ghat have been closed. Many autos take the shortcut from Sovabazar Metro to BK Pal and Launch Ghat, fleecing customers at their whims and fancies. A commuter from Telengabagan, Somnath Bhadra, said though a fare hike by Rs 5 to Rs 10 was nothing unusual during festivals, this time autos were charging Rs 10 to Rs 15 more. Anuradha Pal of Behala said she faced difficulty in hiring an auto for her travel from Rashbehari to Behala. “Four autos refused. Later, one agreed but said I had to pay Rs 40 instead of Rs 30,” added Pal.The fare on Gariahat-Rashbehari route has also increased significantly. From Sunday, the fare has been raised from Rs 15 to Rs 20. Many are taking autos from Gariahat after shopping. “Some are getting off on hearing the fare, while others are forced to pay the extra charge,” said Sayantan Dutta, another commuter.Another passenger, Subrata Sinha, said, “I was trying to get an auto from Gariahat, but most of the drivers refused single passenger. I had to stand in a queue at Ballygunge Station. Later, I took a bus to Kalighat.”Auto drivers claim that they have to make all their profits in the morning.“We have to compensate for the losses,” said Raju Hela, an auto driver from Chetla.
