Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to inaugurate the ‘Auto Drivers’ Sevalo’ (in service of auto drivers) scheme in Vijayawada on October 4, 2025. This new initiative will provide a yearly financial assistance of ₹15,000 to qualified auto-rickshaw and cab drivers across the state.
The launch event will see the participation of Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, IT Minister N. Lokesh, and BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav. The government has meticulously identified 2,90,669 beneficiaries, and a total sum of ₹436 crore will be directly credited into their bank accounts.
An official statement highlighted that while the previous YSRCP government offered an annual aid of ₹10,000 to these drivers, the current coalition NDA government has increased this assistance by 50% to ₹15,000, acknowledging the drivers’ persistent challenges.
During the YSRCP’s tenure, the scheme covered 2,61,516 beneficiaries. The expanded list under the new government includes 2,25,621 auto-drivers, 38,576 three-wheeler passenger vehicle drivers, 20,072 motor cab drivers, and 6,400 maxi cab drivers. Visakhapatnam district alone accounts for the highest number of beneficiaries, with 22,955 drivers.
The press release also clarified that this financial assistance for auto drivers was not originally part of the TDP’s election manifesto. However, the NDA government decided to implement it as a compensatory measure, considering the economic impact on drivers due to the ‘Mahila Shakti’ free bus travel scheme. Additionally, the coalition government has significantly lowered the green tax on older vehicles and has committed ₹1,000 crore to improve road conditions, thereby reducing repair burdens for drivers.
To ensure no eligible auto-rickshaw or cab driver is overlooked, the government has established a dedicated WhatsApp-based grievance redress system. To qualify for the scheme, drivers must possess a valid driving license and vehicle registration within Andhra Pradesh.