Round 1,500 metered yellow taxis in West Bengal can be phased out by the tip of subsequent yr, as business automobiles older than 15 years aren’t allowed to ply within the metropolis, a transport division official mentioned Saturday.
In 2008, the Calcutta Excessive Court docket ordered that business automobiles older than 15 automobiles wouldn’t be allowed to ply within the metropolis, the official mentioned. There are round 4,500 Ambassador metered yellow taxis, which can come down to three,000 by the tip of 2026, the official mentioned.
“From 25,000 in 2019-20, the variety of yellow taxis witnessed a gentle dip… It went down to eight,500 in 2023… By subsequent April the quantity is additional set to come back down,” INTUC state president and taxi wing chief Pramod Pandey instructed PTI.
Taxi unions urged the transport division for a viable revival package deal for the yellow taxis, that are an integral a part of Kolkata’s heritage. Taxi drivers union mentioned if the authorities withdraw the age restrict of 15 years, these taxis can run one other 5 years with correct upkeep and alter in engine.
“The transport division has not revised the fares of yellow metered taxis since 2016…,” Pandey mentioned. He mentioned round 10,000 folks — taxi drivers, members of the family and others — will quickly ship an open letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighting the difficulty.
“From Bollywood filmmakers to Kolkata’s icons like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen everybody had projected yellow taxis of their works… If the state don’t do something to save lots of yellow taxi part of Kolkata’s historical past will go ceaselessly,” he mentioned.
The senior transport official mentioned the federal government was in favour of holding the metred taxi fleet with BS 6 grievance new fashions and can facilitate financial institution loans to the homeowners.
“There isn’t any means we are able to preserve the outdated Ambassador fashions after they attain the age of 15 years. Now we have to abide by the 2008 Calcutta Excessive Court docket order about business automobiles not being allowed to ply within the metropolis after 15 years. Therefore now we have to observe the choice methods for the curiosity of each stakeholder,” the transport division official mentioned.
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