Panel suggests hike in auto, taxi fares

There may be some bad news for the 45-lakh people using autos and taxis everyday. Sources said the four-member Khatau Committee has suggested fare hike for these modes of transport in their report submitted to the state government late on Monday.

The report was given to state Transport Minister Diwakar Raote and Principal Secretary (Transport) Manoj Saunik.

"I have received the report but yet to read it. We will check the suggestions and then decide on its implementation," said Raote.

Sources said the committee has suggested marginal hike in fares of both taxis and autos, though they remained mum on the exact increase.

The panel was headed by BC Khatau, Director, Mumbai Transformation Support Unit and comprised DG Jadhav, former Transport Commissioner, Girish Godbole and Nitin Doshi. The panel was appointed on October 10, 2016 and was supposed to submit the report within 3 months, but it took 365 days to submit the 224-page report.