With the Jharkhand government making it mandatory for all public transport operators to reintroduce the pre-lockdown fares, regular disputes between the passengers and auto-rickshaw operators have become a norm in Dhanbad.

While the passengers are insisting on paying the old fare, auto drivers are continuing to charge the increased fare, citing difficulty in managing fuel expense due to the constraint imposed on them of accommodating only a limited number of passengers in vehicles, due to Covid-19.

Talking to The Telegraph Online, Ranjit Keshri, a shop owner at Jharia’s Steel Gate, said that despite the government calling for the restoration of old fare, the drivers are charging the same amount as they were charging while ferrying only two passengers during the lockdown period.

“Travelling from Dhanbad Station to Steel Gate by auto would cost Rs 10 in the pre-lockdown time. Now, when the lockdown is over and there are limited restrictions, still the auto drivers are charging Rs 20 per head despite the fact that they are carrying more than 10 passengers,” said Keshri.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Rajeev Keshri, a Jharia-based advocate who regularly travels to the Dhanbad Court by auto-rickshaw, said, “The pre-lockdown fare for Jharia to Dhanbad was Rs 13 per head. However, we are still being asked to pay the increased fare of Rs 25 per passenger.”

“Things can’t be taken in isolation. The entire issue needs a holistic approach, the predicament of auto-drivers and auto operators also needs to be taken into consideration,” said Sunil Singh, president of Jharkhand Pariwahan Mazdoor Union.

He maintained that prior to lockdown the auto operators were ferrying over 10 passengers in one auto but they have been asked to limit the number of commuters now. “As per the latest instruction we have to follow the Covid guidelines. Police are taking action on such vehicles carrying more than four passengers. It is not possible to manage the operation of vehicles at the old fare” said Singh, who also is an auto driver.

According to him the operators had approached deputy commissioner Uma Shankar Singh and District Transport Officer Om Prakash Yadav to put forward their demand for revising the fare. “We have already submitted a memorandum before the sub-divisional officer of Dhanbad, Surendra Prasad, demanding an increase in fare by 30 per cent in view of changed scenario due to the pandemic,” said Chotan Singh, President of Dhanbad Pradesh Diesel Auto Chalak Mahasangh.

District transport officer, Om Prakash Yadav stated that auto operators flouting the rules in Dhanbad are being punished. He said, “Auto drivers charging high fare are being fined in a bid to ensure the restoration of pre lockdown fare.”