New colour combo for autos

New colour combo for autos


Ashwini M Sripad
First Published : 04 Nov 2008 09:33:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Nov 2008 12:24:15 PM IST

BANGALORE: Get ready to go green with envy, for the present colour combination of yellow and black in autorickshaws, might make way for a more pleasant combination, yellow and green to give them the environment-friendly feel. What's more, autos will also have four-stroke engine with less vibration and no noise. Seats for passengers will be more spacious and comfortable to give you the hassle-free ride.

However, the change is not being accompanied by a switch-over to CNG as fuel, like in Delhi where CNG led to a dramatic improvement in the quality of air with the switch over to CNG.

When contacted, Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said the transport department has placed a proposal to the Ministry only for the change in colour and type. “Unlike Delhi, autorickshaws here will continue to operate on LPG and not CNG,” he clarified. He said that they are waiting for the nod from the Transport Minister for the colour change. “Once we get clearence, the autorickshaws have to change their colour and make other modifications,” he added.

However, the officials from RTO said that the government is also toying with the idea of having two different kinds of autorickshaws for Bangaloreans. The autorickshaws operating inside city will continue to run with yellow and black, while the autorickshaws running on outer ring roads will go yellow and green. “The government might issue permits to new autorickshaws with these specifications”, officials said.

However Prof M N Sreehari, Chairman, Traffic Engineer and Safety Trainers, is not too enthusiastic about the proposed changeover. “Even at present, around 30 per cent of autos operate on pertol. Converting all the autos to either LPG or CNG will be more sensible than painting the vehicles green,” he observed.

But, autorickshaw unions are opposed to the proposed move. “We have already invested money on digital meters and LPG kit. Changing colours will be an additional burden for us. At least Rs 2,000 per vehicle is needed,” they complained. Sampath of Adarsha Auto Drivers Association said, “If government is planning to change the colour of the vehicles, it should bear the cost”.