Close X
Saturday, January 11, 2025
ADVT 
India

Diesel, Petrol Cabs Go Off Roads, Owners Warn Of Suicides

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 May, 2016 12:14 PM
    The Supreme Court's ban on plying of diesel and petrol driven taxis in Delhi took effect on Sunday, with three taxi owners warning this might lead to suicides in frustration.
     
    Cab operators termed the apex court's decision tyrannical, saying if the decision was not changed then it will lead many of them to commit suicide. Over 27,000 taxis run on diesel alone in Delhi.
     
    The cab operators told IANS that they had decided to launch a protest after mutual consultations. They claimed that almost half the taxis were run on diesel in the national capital.
     
    "I have cancelled 17 bookings since morning as most of my taxis are run on diesel. I have only five taxis run by CNG. We do not understand why the court and Government come up with such decisions?" S. Kumar, owner of Kumar Taxi Services in central Delhi, told IANS. 
     
    He said the apex court decision of Saturday will lead many taxi operators to commit suicide as they won't be able to pay their car instalments now.
     
    "How do we pay our monthly instalments to banks for the loans taken to buy taxis? Does not the government realize that diesel cars can't be converted into CNG?"
     
    The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to give more time to taxi operators to switch to the cleaner compressed natural gas (CNG). The deadline for the change, which had been extended twice, was Saturday.
     
    Another transporter, who did not wished to be named, told IANS: "The order would have at least made sense if it was applicable to diesel taxis after their ongoing permit got over. That would have at least given some time to the operators to arrange for alternate taxis. But now we are all ruined."
     
     
    According to the Delhi transport department, about 60,000 taxis are registered in the city. Of them, 27,000 run on diesel.
     
    Some taxi operators believe the court ruling will mainly affect cab aggregators Ola and Uber.
     
    "The decision is not applicable to taxis with All India Tourist Permit. This is going to be a setback for Ola and Uber who have a large number of taxis run on diesel," Raman of Kamal Taxi Service told IANS.
     
    "The authorities should not be surprised if taxi owners and drivers commit suicide in sheer frustration," Raman added.
     
    Pritpal Singh, a taxi owner in south Delhi, that even taxis with all-India permits often plied within the capital when there was no business for journeys outside. "So even they will be hit. We don't know what to do."
     
    On Sunday, with taxis plying on petrol and diesel staying off the roads, commuters switched over to the limited number of CNG-driven yellow-top taxis and auto-rickshaws. The problem is expected to peak on Monday.
     
    "I called two taxi companies but declined to take my booking citing lack of CNG cabs. Finally I took an auto-rickshaw to reach Noida Sector 15," Sangeeta Johari, a stock broker, told IANS.
     
    Piyush, working with a NGO, told IANS that he waited for two hours to get his taxi booked.
     
    "I was initially told there are no cabs. Later, they said a taxi will be available but in two hours. I had no option and to wait," he said.
     
    This is the second blow to Uber and Ola in Delhi. The Delhi government has declared that it will not let them charge "surge pricing".

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Learn From P Chidambaram, Lift Ban On My Serial: Taslima Nasreen To Mamata

    Learn From P Chidambaram, Lift Ban On My Serial: Taslima Nasreen To Mamata
    The broadcast of the author’s serial about a Hindu family settled in Kolkata was stopped on the then newly launched ‘Aakash Aath’ channel in December 2013.

    Learn From P Chidambaram, Lift Ban On My Serial: Taslima Nasreen To Mamata

    Noor Jehan Overjoyed By PM Narendra Modi’s Words Of Praise In ‘Mann Ki Baat’

    Noor Jehan Overjoyed By PM Narendra Modi’s Words Of Praise In ‘Mann Ki Baat’
    "I am extremely happy that the Prime Minister took my name and praised my work. It is a morale booster," Noor Jehan said as she welcomed scores of BJP leaders and media persons who flocked her home.

    Noor Jehan Overjoyed By PM Narendra Modi’s Words Of Praise In ‘Mann Ki Baat’

    Pakistani Spy Racket Busted; BSF Man, ISI-linked Handler Arrested

    Pakistani Spy Racket Busted; BSF Man, ISI-linked Handler Arrested
    Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44) and Border Security Force (BSF) head constable Abdul Rasheed were arrested from Jammu on November 26.

    Pakistani Spy Racket Busted; BSF Man, ISI-linked Handler Arrested

    After 5-Hour Energy, Indian-American Billionaire Backs Free Electricity

    After 5-Hour Energy, Indian-American Billionaire Backs Free Electricity
    Manoj Bhargava, the Indian-American billionaire philanthropist who shot to fame with his 5-Hour Energy drink, has unveiled a stationary bicycle that can generate electricity.

    After 5-Hour Energy, Indian-American Billionaire Backs Free Electricity

    After Spat With Minister Haryana Transfers Woman Police Office

    After Spat With Minister Haryana Transfers Woman Police Office
    "Sangeeta Rani, superintendent of police, Fatehabad, has been posted as Commandant 4th IRB (India Reserve Battalion), Manesar, relieving Vikas Dhankar of the additional charge," a state government spokesman said here.

    After Spat With Minister Haryana Transfers Woman Police Office

    Badal To Amarinder Singh: Shun Confrontation, Adopt Consensus

    Badal To Amarinder Singh: Shun Confrontation, Adopt Consensus
    Addressing the second 'Sadbhawna Rally' of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal here, Badal said that he was ready to sacrifice his life to ensure peace in Punjab.

    Badal To Amarinder Singh: Shun Confrontation, Adopt Consensus