Bengaluru: Drivers feel the pinch as auto LPG gets costlier, earnings decrease

BENGALURU: Shakuntala G has been driving an autorickshaw for two years now. She was earning Rs 1,000 per day, of which she spent Rs 300 on autogas (LPG) and took the remaining Rs 700 home.
However, her daily income has dipped to Rs 300 after Covid-19. Shakuntala, 42, a resident of Reddy Palya in HAL, said: “I don’t even make enough money to fill auto LPG. I used to ferry students and techies working in nearby IT parks. But now most schools remain closed and techies are working from home. So there is hardly any business.”
“I’m able to ply only for short distances since I have two children at home. My husband is not driving an auto any more due to lack of business. Even if he drives, police harass him and take money. I don’t know how to manage our expenses, including house rent and school fees, in the coming days,” she said.
Shakuntala is not alone. Lakhs of auto drivers in the city are struggling due to reduced earnings. While a majority of drivers shifted to LPG autos over the years, increasing prices are a cause of concern.