AGARTALA, June 01 (TIWN): Auto rickshaw operators, known to be a defiant and unruly lot, lived up to their "reputation" by increasing fare double the previous rate -- arbitrarily and without an intimation to the state government on all important routes across the city on Sunday .

Agitated commuters in Anandanagar – Motorstand route resorted to road blockade for one hour protesting the hike of fair from Rs 10 to Rs 20. The blockade was with removed and brought the situation under by local police and civil administration.

The sudden fare hike resulted in serious trouble to commuters as many were denied to board the vehicles at previous rates. Students, frequently travelling traders were worst affected. They felt it was an unreasonable hike termed it as extortion.
Meanwhile, there are also reports of scuffle between auto and Tom-tom drivers in some places of the city. It started when passengers were seen boarding the battery charged three wheelers as they did not increase the fare rate of Rs 5.  Surprisingly, the CPI (M) backed auto associations are totally ignorant about the day’s happenings and no initiatives was taken to solve the problem.   The Transport department recently decided to allow only three passengers in three-wheelers with effect from June 01. The order came in close succession of an order from the High Court of Tripura in response to a PIL.