Overview

• The 20% fare increase began on August 1, raising the base charge to ₹36 for the first two kilometres and the per-kilometre rate to ₹18 along with a 1.5× night surcharge, revised waiting fees and baggage charges.
• Authorities have directed the Legal Metrology Department to recalibrate and certify all autorickshaw meters by October 31, deploying inspectors citywide and threatening penalties for violators.
• Auto unions say up to 50,000 drivers will refuse meter updates and join protests, demanding a higher ₹40 base fare and ₹20 per kilometre to offset rising costs.
• Commuters report that app-based aggregators such as Rapido, Namma Yatri, Uber and Ola are imposing opaque surcharges of up to 40%, well above the 10% plus 5% GST limit allowed by court order.
• Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has defended the revision as research-based, affirmed that rates will not be altered and instructed all drivers to comply.