Prepaid auto service likely in Cuttack soon

CUTTACK: Prepaid auto-rickshaw service is likely to be introduced in the millennium city by the end of this month with a minimum fare of Rs 30.  The process of kick-starting the service has been put on the fast lane with the sub committee on fare fixation finalising the rates, the routes as well as completing demarcation of the zones. As many as 150 auto-rickshaws plying from the Railway Station stand would be engaged in the prepaid service.The minimum fare of ` 30 has been fixed for the Ring Zone constituting a radius of two km from the Railway Station covering areas of OMP Square, OMP Chuna Bhati Lane, College Square, Rehman Chhak, Pilgrim Road, Ranihat bridge and Law College Hostel at Jobra.  Though it may appear high on the face, the fare would come down when the distance increases. The city has been divided into the 22 zones apart from the Ring. For a trip to CDA, the passengers had to face a lot of problems in getting an autorickshaw particularly in the night. The fare at the prepaid service has been fixed at around ` 80-100 while autos charged people more than ` 200 on any normal time.The fares would take care of all charges from luggage to night service. The auto-rickhsaws would be put in a queue and pass on as the passengers alight and avail the service. No enrolled auto-rickshaw can refuse any passenger on the basis of the distance or otherwise. The passengers would be given slips containing the name of the driver, registration number of his vehicle. They will hand over the slip to the driver when the get down at their destination, who in turn will get his payment from the booth.The service would commence from two booths at the Gate No I and II of the Cuttack railway Station. The Railway authorities have agreed to construct the booths. Fare charts would be displayed prominently for all the routes.  The committee comprising SP Railways, ACP Traffic, MVI Cuttack, and High Court deputed advocates Chittaranjan Mohanty and PK Panda will submit their report to the High Power Committee under Commissioner BK Sharma. The service is expected to commence by the month end once the booths are ready, sources said.