With CM’s nod, Delhi to get more autos

The wait for more auto-rickshaws on Delhi roads is going to get over soon.

The wait for more auto-rickshaws on Delhi roads is going to get over soon.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikhsit has in principle agreed to the new policy to give permits for new auto-rickshaws in the city.

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In a landmark decision in November last, the Supreme Court had lifted the cap of 55,000 auto-rickshaws allowed to ply on Delhi's roads.

The apex court agreed to the transport department's demand to allow 45,000 new auto-rickshaws in the first phase. The department, however, took almost nine months to come up with a policy on distribution of permits.

"One person will not be

given more than one permit for an auto-rickshaw. There is a

provision to give permits to people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Women will also be given preference," a Delhi government official said, requesting anonymity.

"We will release 4,000 permits each month and all auto-rickshaws will have to be fitted with global positioning system (GPS) device and a panic button," the official added.