Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 17: The government has cleared the decks for the roll out of the pre-paid auto-rickshaw service in a move that is likely to bring huge respite to people looking for a hassle-free travel option.
A technical committee comprising officials of the regional transport office (RTO), commissionerate police, transport and commerce department and auto-rickshaw unions has chosen three key spots — Master Canteen side of the railway station, Baramunda bus stand and KIIT square — to launch the service.
All arrangements have been put in place for the launch of the first phase of the service March 22, said RTO Lalmohan Sethi.“We have decided that around 300 pre-paid auto-rickshaws will be made available at the city railway station and 200 each at Baramunda bus stand and KIIT square. The fares are yet to be finalised by the technical committee and this will take another two to three days,” Sethi said.
For the first 2 km, commuters will have to pay `30 and for every subsequent kilometre they will have to pay `10, according to sources. At night, commuters will have to pay `50 for first 2 km, with the charges for the subsequent kilometers being 30 per cent more than the day charge.
Around seven lakh passengers turn up at the railway station every month, while nearly 800 buses to different destinations originate from Baramunda bus stand.
The government has chosen to launch the service from KIIT square to cater to the demands of professionals and students, according to sources.