Auto-rickshaws will soon be allowed to travel across National Capital Region, with the Delhi Transport department confirming that applications for issuing NCR permits are likely to be processed by July. Those commuting to and from areas such as Gurgaon and Noida will benefit from the move. Under the policy, 2,750 permits will be issued to auto-rickshaws plying to Uttar Pradesh and an equal number will be issued for those wanting to ply to Haryana. “We have received applications for both Haryana and UP. More applications were received for UP permits than Haryana ones,’’ a transport official said. According to an earlier notification, “Auto-rickshaws that are allowed to ply to UP will have a three-inch orange-coloured strip with ‘NCR auto for Uttar Pradesh’ written in white on it. Autos to Haryana will have a purple-coloured strip with ‘NCR auto for Haryana’ written across it in white,’’ an official said. The auto fares will be the same as applicable in Delhi at present, officials said. The fares were hiked in May 2013, whereby the minimum fare of the first 2 km went up from Rs 19 to Rs 25 and for every kilometre thereafter from Rs 6.50 to Rs 8. “We will start processing the applications by July and issuing permits thereafter. Those persons who have applied for Haryana permits will get permits immediately. But we will have to scrutinise the applications for UP permits as the number of applications has exceeded the allocated amount of permits,’’ the official said. According to the specified eligibility criteria, the applicant should possess a valid TSR driving licence and a Public Service Badge issued by the Transport department. The applicant should not possess any other TSR or transport vehicle with permits and the electronic fare meter fitted in the auto-rickshaw should be GPS-integrated. “Women applicants will be given priority in both categories. The auto-rickshaw drivers will also be required to get a counter signature from the respective transport authority in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana,’’ the official said.
