Delhi: Autos, taxis brace to be hit by BRICS

As Delhi prepares for the 18th BRICS Summit, auto and taxi drivers are bracing for traffic restrictions that could mean longer routes, higher CNG consumption and fewer fares.

The summit is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam from September 11 to 13, with heightened security and traffic restrictions planned across parts of Central and South Delhi. Motorcade rehearsals in the run-up to the event have already resulted in diversions across more than 35 roads and at 22 points covering important stretches, including Sardar Patel Marg, Mathura Road, Janpath, Ring Road, Dhaula Kuan and Moti Bagh.

Direct consequence

An auto or taxi that is stopped for VVIP movement loses money. A driver forced to take a longer route consumes more CNG. And a passenger who is advised to use the Metro instead of road transport means one less customer.

CNG in Delhi has risen by roughly Rs 9.89 per kg between October 2025 and September 2026, according to price-tracking data. On August 29, the price rose by Rs 3.89 per kg in a single increase, taking it to Rs 86.98. Transport bodies have put the cumulative increase over the past two to three months at around Rs 10 to 11 per kg.

Haidar Ali, who works with an Aam Aadmi Party-backed auto union, said such restrictions become particularly difficult for commercial drivers during major international events.

“Whenever there is a major summit like BRICS, autos are stopped for long periods in Central Delhi. Private vehicles may still be allowed to move, but commercial vehicles face restrictions. We are diverted and have to take longer routes when senior ministers and dignitaries take these roads,” he said.

On September 3, around 200 auto and taxi drivers gathered outside the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) office to raise concerns, including the CNG price hike, falling mileage and issues related to vehicle registration. Fare revision was among the key demands.

The current auto fare is Rs 25 for the first 1.5 km, followed by Rs 11.50 per km. The unions are demanding that the minimum fare be increased to Rs 50 for the first 1.5 km and hiked to Rs 15 thereafter.

Longer route, lost fare

According to Dhiraj, an auto-rickshaw driver, charging more during summits also raises eyebrows, despite longer routes.
“During BRICS or any such summit, the mere mention of extra charge because of the additional distance or restrictions raises hackles. People think the auto driver is trying to loot them,” Dhiraj said.

He added that security restrictions also prevent drivers from waiting around areas where they would normally expect to find passengers.

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Who bears the cost?

The BRICS restrictions have also brought a much larger question back into the conversation regarding who pays for Delhi’s push towards cleaner transport.

Ali added, “Is the responsibility of stopping pollution on one lakh auto drivers or is it shared equally by all 2.5 crore vehicles on Delhi’s roads? The government has to answer that.”