Auto drivers eye Nano, see it as safer option

Auto drivers eye Nano, see it as safer option
Deepa Bhasthi |TNN

Bangalore: Like the tuk-tuks elsewhere, the yellow and black autorickshaws are an integral part of Bangalore. But if a section of auto drivers in the city has its way, autos might soon be replaced by the swankier, faster and safer Nanos.
The cost may push more than 15,000 drivers to opt for the world’s cheapest car. “We are discussing the feasibility. We will propose to the government that when old autos are replaced, they be substituted with Nanos,’’ Manjunath M, president of Adarsha Auto Drivers’ Union told TOI.
“We are waiting for the car to hit the roads. We plan to ask the minorities welfare department to help drivers get the cars at good prices. The Nanos can be operated on meter basis, just like the autos,” he said. The union has over 16,000 registered members.
Several reasons have prompted this line of thought. “The recession has hit auto drivers quite badly. People are travelling by buses. With the number of auto passengers falling and prices of food commodities going up, it’s difficult to make ends meet,” said Manjunath.
Besides, “private financiers demand up to 2% for a Rs 1-lakh loan and the monthly interest keeps increasing. Without business, it has become hard to repay instalments and several autos are being seized by finance companies,” he said.
Another problem they face pertains to permits. In 2008, over 7,400 permits were issued for autos, each at a cost of Rs 500. But delay in renewing them has led to middle men selling permits for anywhere between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000. “Drivers have to produce the vehicle for hypothecation but without the permits, there is no finance option,” said Manjunath.
Whether the Nano will be a more sophisticated feasible option remains to be seen, but it’ll definitely be a safer choice.
Another wheel Cost of an auto: Rs 1.25 lakh with permit (taxes extra)
Cost of Nano: Rs 1.50 lakh plus
Rate per km: Rs 7 (approx) for both auto and Nano