If the decision is followed through, people would not have to change auto-rickshaws or taxis at check nakas or toll nakas.
If the state government has its way, the restrictions imposed by Regional Transport Authorities on taxis and autorickshaws preventing them from plying freely across the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) could be revoked soon. If the decision is followed through, people would not have to change auto-rickshaws or taxis at check nakas or toll nakas.
Mumbai has 1.02 lakh auto-rickshaws and 55,000 taxis, all of which are registered and fitted with a genuine meter.
However, in areas like Kalyan and Thane, the rickshaws are not metered and people are charged on an ad-hoc basis. “Thane alone has 11,000 permitted and over 23,000 unauthorised rickshaws plying on the roads,” said Sharad Rao, general secretary of Municipal Mazdoor Union. Rao added that the government’s move would only pave way for illegal operators to come into the city and fleece passengers.
The MMR comprises seven municipal corporations (Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan-Dombivili, Mira-Bhayander and Bhiwandi-Nizampur), 13 municipal councils (Ambernath, Karjat, Khopoli, Kulgaon-Badlapur, Matheran, Nallasopara, Panvel, Pen, Vasai, Virar, Uran, Navghar-Manikpur and Alibaug) and 982 villages of Thane and Raigad districts spread over 3,887 sq km.
“The move is an extension to the state government’s proposal of creating a unified transport regulatory authority. Public transport must be encouraged and citizens must enjoy free movement across the MMR,” said Shyamsunder Shinde, transport commissioner.
“We intend to provide better public transport to the citizens. This includes free movement of the buses operated by various municipal corporations. However, the municipal corporations are averse to the decision,” said Shinde. He added that he had received the Government Resolution (GR).
“I am yet to study the GR,” said Shinde. When asked whether this would add to the chaos in the city that was facing severe traffic snarls, Shinde said, “This move will only enable us to provide better public transport, thereby encouraging people to curb the use of their private vehicles.”
He added that the government would try to give improved transportation facilities like air-conditioned buses, taxis and also improve the standard of auto-rickshaws and taxis.
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