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Hi ! "I miei pensieri" means "My thoughts" in italian. I use this space to convey some of my thoughts on some interesting topics.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Namma Ooru Autokaaran (Chennai’s Own Autowallahs)


Today there was an interesting article in the Times of India front page pointing out just how long auto rickshaws have been running without meter – since 1998! And how a 6km ride in a Chennai auto lightens your pocket by Rs. 100 whereas the same trip will cost around 56 in Bangalore, 72 in Mumbai and 46 in Delhi. All the stats there are point to the grave nature of this situation especially as the article rightly points out that with “the gaps in public transport increasing, the auto rickshaws do ensure the last mile connectivity to offices, homes, schools and colleges.”  The article also mentions the argument of the other stakeholder – the autowallahs’ argument, which mainly centers on the absence of a sound tariff structure and provisions for the transport authority to regularly revise according to the change in the prices of fuel.
I have been to Bangalore many times, and I love the auto rickshaw rides there. So borrowing the basic concept from there, the meters in the Chennai autos should mainly display the distance of commute. A price chart can be issued by the transport authority. A slot in the back of the auto driver’s seat can display the chart along with the driver’s identity, license and vehicle registration details. Any sane person will agree that it is easier to change the charts every year rather than calibrating the meters themselves. But keeping in mind the possibility of the customized charts popping up with way higher prices than the actual, the Transport Authority can issue these price charts with a hologram which will make it a tad difficult to replicate.
The reader will now be wondering why in spite of the tone of this article, I have chosen a title that is the opposite. All said and done, the Chennai city’s description is incomplete without the bright yellow auto rickshaws. I wanted to highlight the steps that can be taken to make Chennaites’ proud of their autowallahs as part and parcel of Chennai.
PS: The source of the stats and statistics used in the first paragraph is from the Times of India news article (4th September 2012)

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