Rickshaw drivers protest in Gandhinagar over fare hike demand amid rising CNG costs

Rickshaw drivers staged a protest outside the office of the Transport Commissioner in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, demanding an increase in auto-rickshaw fares amid rising CNG prices and inflation, which they allege have severely affected their livelihoods.

Members of the Ahmedabad Rickshaw Drivers Association gathered outside the commissioner's office at the Old Secretariat, alleging that their long-pending demand for a fare revision had not been addressed despite repeated representations to the authorities.

The protest comes after a recent increase in CNG prices, with drivers claiming that the cost of fuel has risen by around ₹7 per kg, making it increasingly difficult to operate at existing fare rates.

Amid mounting financial pressure, the association has reportedly implemented revised fares without waiting for formal government approval.

Under the new rates announced by the association, the minimum fare has been increased from ₹20 to ₹30. For travel beyond the minimum distance, the fare has been raised from ₹15 to ₹20 for the applicable slab.

Rickshaw operators said the fare hike was necessary to offset rising operational costs and maintain their earnings.

Association leaders argued that the decision was not aimed at generating additional profit but was a measure to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of drivers affected by increasing fuel prices and inflation.

They appealed to passengers to cooperate with the revised fare structure until a formal decision is taken by the authorities.

Transport officials have not yet announced any revision to the official fare rates. The unilateral increase by drivers is likely to trigger discussions between the administration and rickshaw unions in the coming days.