The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved an 18 percent increase in fares for various categories of commercial passenger vehicles across the Union Territory and issued a fresh notification in this regard.
The Transport Department, through a notification issued from the Civil Secretariat, has directed the Transport Commissioner, J&K, to fix the revised maximum chargeable fares for different categories of vehicles, including stage carriage buses, taxis, maxi cabs, and auto-rickshaws.
According to the notification, the revised fares will be applicable over and above the rates notified earlier vide SRO-97 dated March 19, 2021. The hike covers big and mini buses, contract carriage taxis such as Sumo, Bolero, and Tempo Traveller, as well as medium and premium tourist vehicles including Scorpio, Xylo, Innova, and Fortuner.
It further stated that auto-rickshaws and Tata Magic vehicles operating as stage carriages will also see an 18 percent fare increase under the revised structure.
The government has also fixed separate fares for electric vehicles. As per the order, e-rickshaws will charge ₹15 per kilometre, while e-autos will charge ₹25 for the first kilometre and ₹20 for each additional kilometre.
The order has been issued under Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, partially modifying the earlier notification, and will come into effect as per directions of the competent authority.(KINS)
