Kolkata . The iconic yellow taxis that ply in Kolkata will no longer be seen on the roads of the state. More than 64 percent of taxis are being removed from the roads by March 2025 due to the 15year service limit imposed by the state transport department.
According to state transport department records, there are currently around 7,000 registered yellow taxis in the state. About 4,500 of them will have to be taken off the roads as per pollution norms, which bar vehicles 15 years or older from plying on the roads.
These yellow taxis, all Ambassadors, were previously manufactured by Hindustan Motors Limited at the company's manufacturing unit, Hind Motors, in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. The company has stopped manufacturing this particular brand, so there is no possibility of their replacement.
Some records of the state transport show that the first yellow taxi probably started running on the streets of Kolkata in 1908, a fee of 50 paise per mile was fixed to avail the service.
However, the Calcutta Taxi Association adopted the Ambassador as the standard taxi model in 1962. The clear visibility of the color even after the sun sets was the reason for choosing yellow as the color of taxis.
The popularity of yellow taxis has declined over the years due to the introduction of app cabs, which offer better and more comfortable rides.
However, considering the old memories associated with yellow taxis, the state transport department is trying to work out a formula to keep that memory alive.
A state transport department official said, “Bringing the Ambassador model back on the roads is out of the question as the company that manufactured it has now stopped producing the brand. However, owners of old yellow taxis with permits for the old permits can Will be able to obtain new commercial transport permits instead.”
He further said, “After this, any owner, whoever he may be, who wants to get yellow color for his commercial vehicle, will have to do so with special permission from the state transport department. However, all these things are still in the drawing- “Are at board level and require discussions with the taxi association.”
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.