Chandigarh, Dec 22 : Plying of non-LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) auto rickshaws will not be permitted on Chandigarh roads after March 31 next year, officials said here Tuesday.

"Liberal financial assistance has been arranged from Delhi Financial Corporation and other financial institutions through a tripartite agreement in which cheap finance is being provided to auto drivers. There would be no collateral security and third party guarantee," said Ram Niwas, home-cum-transport secretary of the union territory (UT).

He added: "Till date, 2,820 permissions have been granted for the purchase of LPG auto rickshaws, out of which 1,900 are already plying on UT roads. No non-LPG auto rickshaw will be allowed after March 31, 2010 to enter the territory of Chandigarh."(IANS)