ProMASS News
Agartala, June 20, 2019: In an attempt to overhaul the transport system and provide hassle free facility, Tripura Government decided today to shun out ‘route-permit’ system for auto-rickshaws and install fare meters on autos ply on Agartala Municipality Corporation (AMC) area. For convenience of commuters, the State Government decided to reintroduce 25 town buses soon.
The decisions were taken in a meeting of council of Ministers in Agartala today. Briefing about the decisions of the meeting, State Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, “With the end of permit system, the state government decided to install fare meters in the auto-rickshaws ply on 241 routes in the AMC area.” He added, the decision was taken for convenience of drivers and passengers.
Charting out farelist, the Minister said, “While travelling in metered autos, the passengers (three) have to pay basic fare of Rs. 20 for 1.5 km journey. Beyond 1.5 kms to 4.16 kms, the fare will be Rs. 30 and beyond 4.16 km, Rs. 7.20 will be charged per km.”
The cabinet decision was taken based on a proposal placed by the Transport department. At present, altogether 6545 auto-rickshaws are plying in 241 routes under the AMC. Auto rickshaws were initially permitted to ply on zonal basis within the ambit of AMC area and then the State Transport Authority started issuing route permits from 1991.
The council of ministers decided to introduce 25 town buses shortly. The town buses would be in service from 6 am to 9 pm, he said.
On the other hand, the cabinet decided to shut 20 schools due to low attendance of students. The twenty schools- 7 in West, one in Gomati, two in Khowai, three in Sepahijala and 7 schools in South Tripura district – would be handed over to India Tribal Care Trust with terms and conditions for running the schools for five years.
The terms and conditions include- minimum thirty students in each of the schools, CBSE or ICSE approval, English medium, NCERT norms to be followed in recruitment of teachers and NCERT syllabus.
The state government would provide books to the students at free of cost and arrange mid-day-meal service. The state government would sign an agreement with the Trust on such conditions.
