Auto-rickshaws ply near the Dimapur’s City Clock Tower roundabout on April 7. (Morung Photo)
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Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 10
Auto drivers are among the most visible targets when it comes to public resentment in Dimapur. They are, arguably, also amongst the most harassed by the police and other authorities.
However, one rarely hears about their side of the story during times of distress. With the rising cost of fuel prices in the recent weeks owing to global conflicts and spiralling inflation, the means of livelihood for many auto and two-wheeler taxi drivers have drastically been affected.
A conversation with a group of auto-drivers at City Tower junction huddled near NRL fuel pump revealed the challenges they are facing over the situation at hand.
“Ki koboh na, it has been difficult these past few days. We don’t get that many passengers any way as compared to before and plus we have to make extra expenses on fuel,” said one of them.
“Parking at specific locations has also become a hassle these days especially since we cannot drive around all day due to the cost of fuel,” said another driver, standing beside his auto.
“Sometimes the police will chase us away because they say that we create congestions on the streets but what can we do. We have to park our vehicles in desirable locations so that we receive passengers as well,” he added.
Others chimed in saying that since they need to refuel three-four times per day, their daily earning have been “really affected.”
One of the drivers also commented that the introduction of the two-wheeler taxis have also impacted their earnings considerably.
Two-wheeler taxi drivers, parked in the their designated locations on the opposite NRL pump, have more or less similar narrative based on their experiences in the recent past.
One of them explained that the most difficult part is when they have to refuel their vehicles.
“I’m spending a lot more money these days since the fuel prices increased. But we cannot increase the cost of fares since it is all decided by the union,” he said.
Preferring to remain anonymous, another taxi driver, who joined the service in January he used to reside in Bengaluru before the pandemic.
“However, ever since I returned back home, I decided that instead of idly sitting by I should do something useful in order to earn money. So I took up this job as a taxi driver.”
He further noted that they change their locations daily, so as not to over crowd one location. “It is also meant to give chance to the auto-drivers who come and park here in this location once we move away,” he remarked.
