Mandi to Soon Launch ‘Meri Auto App’ for Online Auto Booking on the Lines of Ola and Uber

Mandi, April 30: In a move inspired by metropolitan transport models like Ola and Uber, Mandi city is all set to introduce an online auto-rickshaw booking service through a new mobile application — Meri Auto App. This service will allow residents to book rides conveniently via their smartphones, while also helping local auto drivers connect with passengers more efficiently.

The initiative is being developed by a team of seven students from Sardar Patel University, in collaboration with the Mandi Municipal Corporation. The students have already started collecting data from local auto drivers, and the municipal body has officially approved the project. According to Sahil, a student developer from the university, Phase 1 of the project has been completed.

Once the final survey is done, the app will be launched with a modest budget of just ₹1.2 lakh. The development team has ensured the app remains cost-effective and has intentionally kept its commission margin low to maximize earnings for the drivers. Team members Shivam Sharma, Mohit Thakur, Saurav Rana, and Bharat Prakash are also working on the project alongside Sahil.

Mandi Mayor Virender Bhatt confirmed that Meri Auto App will benefit both commuters and auto-rickshaw drivers. “With this app, residents will be able to book autos online without hassle, and drivers will no longer need to roam the streets in search of passengers,” he said.

All the students involved in the project are pursuing their MCA in Computer Science from Sardar Patel University. They are developing this app under the university’s AI Robotics Club, Gen.O.7. In addition to this, the team is also working on Mandi Darshan, an app focused on the city’s religious tourism sites. Previously, they created a climate clock for SPU and a navigation app for shops in Indira Market.