Ghaziabad: A new auto service for NCR has been launched in Ghaziabad which will look after the needs of passengers of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Durga Prasad Yadav flagged off a contingent of 28 three-wheelers during inauguration of the ‘NCR auto sewa’ at Mahamaya stadium in Ghaziabad.
Permits to ply all over NCR have been handed only to those autos that meet stringent eligibility criteria set by the transport department, said regional transport officer Mayank Jyoti.
Every auto has been fitted with a GPS device and panic button to increase passenger security.
“The police control room will be able to track the location of these autos with the GPS system.
In case of any trouble, a passenger can press the panic button and the police will locate and help the passenger,” said Jyoti, adding that all autos will also be equipped with a mini fire extinguisher.
Jyoti said, of the 26 auto permits, 21 have been given to drivers from Ghaziabad and five to ones from Noida.
The drivers said they have been assured by the transport department that fares would be revised soon to bring them on a par with rates in the capital.
Currently, the fare in Noida and Ghaziabad is Rs 6.86 for the first kilometre, followed by Rs 5.5 for every subsequent kilometre.
In Delhi, the minimum fare is Rs 25 for the first 2 km, followed by Rs 8 for every subsequent kilometre.
 “The department will issue a total of 5,000 permits to Ghaziabad and Noida applicants. Of these, 2,000 will be available for Ghaziabad and another 2,000 for Noida. Apart from these, a thousand permits will be issued to auto operators who will go to Faridabad and Haryana,” he said.