The price of autorickshaw LPG rose by ₹12.28 per litre on Wednesday, marking the third increase in less than a month and intensifying pressure on auto operators across the city.
Between March 1 and April 1, the fuel has become costlier by ₹25 per litre. On March 1, auto LPG was priced at around ₹58 per litre; by Wednesday, it had climbed to ₹82.96.
The steep rise has sharply inflated operating costs. On February 28, an auto driver spent about ₹300 on fuel to travel 80km. By April 1, the same distance cost ₹560, drivers said.
Despite the surge, fares across multiple routes have remained unchanged. Unions are unlikely to allow a steep hike so close to the elections, but the situation could turn dire soon after.
Repeated fuel price increases in recent weeks have triggered speculation about fare revisions. However, with no hikes implemented, the number of autos operating has dropped significantly in several areas.
Operators said they plan to meet union leaders later this week to discuss a fare revision.
“We don’t know if auto LPG prices will soon touch ₹100 per litre. Operators have families to support, and unless fares are revised, it will be impossible to make ends meet,” said Sanjit Das, who drives on the Gariahat-Ruby route, where fares remain unchanged.
Fare strain
Some routes have seen fare increases despite the union’s disapproval.
The fare on the Chingrighata-SDF route has risen by ₹3, from ₹15 to ₹18, while the Swasthya Bhavan-Chingrighata route has gone up by ₹2 to ₹17.
Commuters on the Garia-Baruipur and Sonarpur-Garia routes reported increases of ₹3.
The Ultadanga-Sector V route saw a jump of ₹5, taking the fare to ₹40. On other routes, fares have also edged up: Maniktala-Phoolbagan now costs ₹17, up ₹2, Phoolbagan-Girish Park ₹23, up ₹3, Ultadanga-No. 12 Tank-Sushrut ₹30, up ₹5.
“The fare on the Lohapool-Chandni Chowk route has increased by ₹5, from ₹25 to ₹30. Passengers will revolt if we even think of another revision,” said Arfin Hussain, a driver on the route.
Auto drivers said their financial survival is at stake.
Many auto drivers must pay ₹300-₹400 to vehicle owners daily, depending on the route’s length and demand, before calculating their own earnings. In some cases, owners bear the fuel cost; in others, drivers pay for it themselves.
“We will have to find a way for owners to forgo some of their share from what drivers pay daily,” said Sanjib Banerjee, a Trinamool leader overseeing multiple routes in Gariahat, Golpark and Ruby.
Even as pressure mounts for fare hikes, some drivers remain uncertain about the benefits.
“If auto fares increase, passengers could switch to buses. We will lose business. The alternative is to carry five passengers, but police are not allowing that,” said operator Babu Roy.
Commercial hike
The Centre also raised the price of commercial LPG by ₹195.50 per 19-kg cylinder on Wednesday, drawing sharp criticism from the Trinamool.
The party’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, criticised the move, accusing the central government of burdening citizens. “While Modi is taking from the people on one hand, Mamata Banerjee is giving on the other,” he said.