The Transport Department’s plan to issue more autorickshaw permits has drawn the ire of a section of drivers in the city who claim that the move will add to the current crisis in the sector, besides worsening traffic woes.
They contended that instead of letting in more autorickshaws, the authorities should focus on replacing the existing petrol and diesel autorickshaws with electric or CNG models with a generous government subsidy.
Union leaders pointed out that the city had 4,200 autorickshaws which were quite sufficient to meet the demand. The move to issue permits for 3,000 more autorickshaws without ensuring proper parking facilities and other basic amenities will be a fiasco, they argued.
“If the objective is to reduce pollution with new vehicles, the authorities can definitely consider our suggestion to replace the existing autorickshaws, at least the oldest ones, with CNG or electric models.
“All permit holders will cooperate if they are given time and reasonable financial support,” said K.K. Mammu, district secretary of Auto, Taxi and Light Motor Workers Union, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions.
He also pointed out that such a move would be helpful in protecting traditional autorickshaw drivers from the looming crisis. Mr. Mammu also made it clear that traditional autorickshaw drivers were not against the move to introduce electric or CNG vehicles.
‘Threat to livelihood’
“The entry of 3,000 more autorickshaws into the city is their main concern as it may affect their livelihood. Instead of pushing them to a crisis, the department can easily think of making them part of the upgrading process,” he added.
For now, there are around 52,000 autorickshaws in Kozhikode district alone. Union leaders said the entry of online taxi operators and the increase in the number of private vehicles had imparted a heavy body blow to the sector. The entry of more autorickshaws will only worsen the current crisis, they claimed.
Concerns conveyed
T.V. Noushad, an autorickshaw driver and district committee member of the union, said the concerns had already been submitted to the consideration of the district administration and the Motor Vehicles Department.
“The plan of the Regional Transport Authority here is to grant permit for 2,000 electric autorickshaws and 1,000 CNG-powered vehicles.
“Our plea is to first replace the oldest autorickshaws in the city with the specified ones with a reasonable government subsidy. And, we are yet to get a favourable reply,” he added.
Meanwhile, Regional Transport Officer A.K. Sasikumar said he was yet to get any update from the authorities on granting new autorickshaw permits in the city. “The details could be discussed only after getting an official communication from the authorities,” he said.