Delhi auto rickshaws went on strike from 11 pm on Thursday to protest against the government's order asking them to install global positioning system (GPS). The rikshaw drivers do not want to pay Rs 625 per month or Rs 7,500 annually. As many as 30,000 autos under different unions are on strike.

State transport minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said, “Once the metres are linked with GPS, every movement of the autos will be recorded and monitored. It is a step forward in providing good and customer-friendly services to the commuters.”

The minister added, “If auto rickshaws are not willing to install GPS, we are ready to cancel their permits. There are plenty of other TSRs (three-wheeled rickshaws) awaiting permits."

Surendra, an auto driver, said, “We don’t have a problem with the installation of GPS but we want the price to be reduced and annual rentals to be waived off.”

After monitoring the GPS in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and cluster buses, the tracking of GPS in auto rickshaws will also be looked after by Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS). An official from DIMTS said, “We are in charge of the backend services, we have the structure in place, we have designed the models so our servers have all the information needed.”

A transport department official said, “The department has decided to install GPS in auto rickshaws after a slew of complaints that they did not comply with fares displayed on their metres and harass passengers by asking more money to ferry them.”

NyayaBhoomi, an NGO working in the autorickshaw service sector, has criticised the GPS scheme because of failure of the government to consult with the stakeholders, and the manner in which the scheme is sought to be pushed.

Rakesh Aggarwal, secretary, Nyayabhoomi, said, “GPS services from telecom operators are available in the market for less than Rs 500 per annum whereas the government is charging Rs 7,500. The difference amounts to Rs 36 crore per annum. There are no plans in place for giving any training whatsoever to auto drivers for operating the device. No field trials have been conducted for a scheme which will commence from June 1."

He adds, “Such a scheme should have first been validated on a smaller number. No specific statement has been made as to how the passengers or auto drivers will benefit from the GPS or how refusal and overcharging will come to an end.”

The NGO has facilitated the filing of a writ petition by 197 operators in Delhi high court against the scheme and has obtained a stay order. It has also filed another writ petition for 241 operators on the May 19 and expects a stay order on May 23.