A union representing autorickshaw men has strongly opposed the introduction of quadricycle and six-seater taxis in Mumbai, Thane and other cities of Maharashtra. It claims that the new mode of transport will affect the autorickshaw men’s source of livelihood. The union has also threatened to stop plying rickshaws and start a morcha on June 12.
The Mumbai Autorickshaw men’s Union has written a letter to the transport commissioner of state, and has demanded to quash the proposal of introducing quadricycle and six-seater taxis not only in Mumbai and Maharashtra, but other cities of state also. The letter states, “The ministry of road transport and highways is considering to introduce new four-wheelers by replacing autorickshaws (three-wheelers), which we strongly oppose. Similarly six-seater taxis are also likely to be introduced in Mumbai city, which will definitely take away the livelihood of autorickshaw men.”
At a press conference, president of Mumbai Autorickshaw men’s Union Sharad Rao said, “We have been demanding `lakh new permits for autorickshaws in Mumbai along with the replacement of about 18,000 dead permits to meet the demand. The government has purposely been delaying the decision on new permits, may be with the motive to bring quadricycle and six-seater taxis.”
The union has also announced that if the government does not hear its voice and not gives them justice, it will stop plying autorickshaws and begin a morcha on June 12, from Veer Mata Jijabai Udyan, Byculla to Azad Maidan.
Mr Rao also said that recently, the state government has reduced the life of taxis to 20 years and autorickshaws to 16 years, which is a preplanned strategy to scrap rickshaws from the roads. The union further added, “If after the June 12 morcha there is no positive response to the issues, the autorickshaw men of Mumbai and Thane city resolve to go on an indefinite agitation from June 18.