Sambalpur, Aug. 10: Commuting in an autorickshaw has become a costly affair for local residents here.

In the absence of bus services in the city, residents have to depend on autorickshaws. In the absence of an agency to regulate the price mechanism, auto drivers charge arbitrarily causing resentment among the local residents.

“One has to shell out at least Rs 10 for just half a kilometre. The authorities should regulate auto fares in the city. In the absence of city buses, autorickshaws have a monopoly on public transport here,” said Debashis Sahu, a local resident. Regional transport officer Maheswar Naik said the administration had fixed the rates.

“Auto drivers are supposed to charge Rs6 for the first kilometre and an additional Rs3 for every subsequent kilometre. The government has fixed the price. People should not pay more than the fixed price and protest if asked for more,” said Naik.

Autorickshaws ferry passengers between Ainthapali and Dhanupali through Laxmi Talkies Chhak and also between the city railway station and Ainthapali bus terminus. They charge anything between Rs 10 and Rs 20.

However, Ipsita Mishra, a working woman, said the residents were not aware of the fare structure in the absence of a regulating agency.

“The fares have been fixed by auto drivers, not the administration. People have no idea that the administration has fixed the rates. The reality is that if someone boards an auto at Church Chhak and travels up to Ashoka Talkies, which is around 2km away, that person would have to shell out Rs20. The administration must take steps to regulate auto fares,” said Mishra.

“Excessive fares charged by autorickshaws for even short distances are unfair. Poor and the middle class people are the worst sufferers. I go to Golebazar from Ainthapali twice a day and depend on the autorickshaws. I have to spend a lot. The district administration should intervene and regulate the fares,” said Devananda Bag, another local resident.