Bollywood filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri expressed his displeasure regarding the hike in auto-rickshaw and taxi fares in Mumbai. For those unversed, starting from February 1, Mumbaikars will have to shell out more for autorickshaw and taxi rides. Maharashtra Transport Department has decided to hike rates by Rs 3 in the basic fare.
Reacting to a news article about the hike in fares, Vivek took to his official X account and shared his frustration. He wrote, “By and by, everything is increasing in Mumbai. Prices, traffic, potholes, chaos, sea level, filth, population, stress, pollution… only thing that is not increasing in proportion is the quality of life.”
Criticising Mumbai’s civic body, he added, “I hope dead @mybmc resurrects some day.”
Maharashtra Transport minister, Pratap Sarnaik, announced that minimum auto and taxi fares would increase by Rs 3 starting February 1. Under the revised rates, the minimum fare for auto-rickshaws will rise to Rs 26, while kaali-peeli taxis will start at Rs 31.
The changes don’t stop there. State-operated buses will also see a 15 per cent hike in ticket prices, further straining commuters’ wallets. According to media reports, additionally, share auto fares will increase from Rs 10 to Rs 12, while share taxi rates may rise by Re 1 to Rs 10.
An official of the State Transport Department also said, “The fare for blue-and-silver AC Cool Cabs will now start at Rs 48, compared to the current Rs 40 for the first 1.5 kilometers. Additionally, beyond the 1.5 km basic fare, the per-kilometer charges will also rise.”
The fare hike, implemented to offset rising fuel prices and operational costs, has drawn criticism from citizens and public figures alike.
Vivek is quite active on social media and he often voices his concern on various social and political issues.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Vivek is gearing up for the release of The Delhi Files. The project will release in two parts and the first part, titled Bengal Chapter, is slated to release in 2025. The film will be produced by Abhishek Agarwal through his banner Abhishek Agarwal Arts alongside Agnihotri’s wife Pallavi Joshi.
Vivek’s last directorial was The Vaccine War, which released in 2023. It starred Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Anupam Kher, Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya.
