Thiruvananthapuram: The minimum charge for autorickshaws and taxis will be increased soon in Kerala. Justice Ramachandran committee has tabled a recommendation before the state government to increase the fare. Following this, Transport Minister Antony Raju held discussions with the committee on the probability of a fare hike. 

If the government approves the committee's recommendation, the minimum charge for autorickshaws will be hiked to Rs 30 and taxi charges will be Rs 210.

Minister Antony Raju stated that the government is planning to increase the auto and taxi charges by considering the demand of vehicle owners and unions in view of the fuel price hike. The committee has recommended that the minimum fare for autorickshaws must be increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30 and from Rs 12 to Rs 15 per km.

Apart from the hike in minimum charge, the committee also recommended an additional 50 per cent surcharge outside the corporation/municipal limits and a 50 per cent surcharge on night travel within the city limits. Additionally, the waiting charge of Rs 10 for every 15 minutes will continue without any revision.

As per the recommendation of the committee, the minimum fare for taxis below 1500cc should be increased from Rs 175 to Rs 210 and the charge per kilometre from Rs 15 to Rs 18. Further, the minimum fare for taxis above 1500 cc must increase from Rs 200 to Rs 240 and a charge per kilometre from Rs 17 to Rs 20.

It is also recommended that the waiting charge must be maintained at Rs 50 per hour and a maximum of Rs 500 per day.

The minister informed that the proposals submitted by the committee would be discussed at the government level, and a decision will be taken. 

The government tasked the Justice Ramachandran Committee to study and recommend the possibility for an increase in auto and taxi fares. The committee later held three meetings with concerned parties and decided to table the recommendation based on it.