In Chennai, auto and taxi drivers are facing the heat due to hike in the fuel rates
Posted on: 22/Feb/2021 9:23:51 AM
As if the loss of their revenue due to the Coronavirus pandemic is not enough, the auto and taxi drivers in Chennai are also facing the issue of a hike in fuel prices now.
It has been confirmed that for the last few months of time, the auto and taxi drivers have been finding it difficult to make both ends meet due to rise in the fuel prices. There are many drivers who are working for longer periods of time in a day that is 12 to 14 hours for their lives. It must be noted that ever since the lockdown the petrol and diesel prices have gone up by Rs 19 per litre and auto-gas by Rs 9.
The petrol was sold at Rs 91.66 per litre and diesel at Rs 84.99 on Wednesday. The cost of auto-gas was Rs 44.55 per litre. Truth is that the fuel prices have begun increasing from 5th of May in 2020 post lockdown. On that day, petrol was priced at Rs 72.26 per litre, diesel at Rs 65.69 per litre and auto-gas was sold at Rs 35.44 per litre.
After the Covid-19 outbreak, the number of trips and earnings has come down and this was according to an auto driver in Chennai. He explained about how the fuel price increase has only made things worse now. It is true that this auto driver earned Rs 300 to Rs 400 per day even after spending for fuel Rs 300 and paying for the daily auto rent of Rs 150. The daily revenue has reduced now and he has been finding it very difficult to manage.
The lives of auto drivers were badly hit by Coronavirus pandemic and also by the hike in the fuel rates. The TN government has not shown any concern for the auto drivers. This was according to Mr. S. Balasubramanian, president TN Auto Thozhilalar Sammelanam. He later shed light on how the auto fares were fixed in 2012 when the fuel rates was Rs 72 per litre and how now the fuel rates have increased but the same auto fares still remain.
