Why Auto-Rickshaws Are Not Allowed in South Mumbai?
Auto rickshaws are one of the affordable means of transport in the whole of suburban Mumbai. But they are not welcomed in the southernmost part of the city. If this is the case then how do people living in South Mumbai manage without auto-rickshaws? In this article, I discuss why auto rickshaws are not allowed in South Mumbai.
It is illegal for a three-wheeler vehicle to enter South Mumbai. Auto rickshaws operating in the rest of Mumbai cannot go past the southern edge of Bandra Fire Station in Western Mumbai and Sion Bus Depot in Central Mumbai. This rule is implemented to primarily ease congestion on the streets of South Mumbai.
Possible reasons why auto-rickshaws are not allowed in south Mumbai
1. Traffic congestion problems
As I mentioned in the previous section, the presence of auto-rickshaws leads to traffic congestion in the city. Unlike 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers, 3-wheelers are weirdly shaped. They occupy spaces they shouldn’t and clog up the street in no time.
Auto-rickshaw drivers struggle to maintain lane discipline. Imagine an auto-rickshaw driving closely behind a car. An auto-rickshaw is narrower compared to a car, hence there will always be space left for a bike to occupy.
Likewise, it becomes difficult for other vehicles to maintain lane discipline in presence of auto rickshaws.
It has been reported that there are approximately 110,000 auto-rickshaws in suburban Mumbai. The number is more than what the city can bear. Auto rickshaws are a leading cause of traffic in suburban Mumbai. The authorities fear the same situation being created in South Mumbai, which could be one of the reasons behind the ban.
2. Public preference
Auto rickshaws are popular in places like Thane, Navi Mumbai, and North Mumbai because they cater to the daily commute of the working class. A large section of people living there don’t seem to mind them.
Such is not the case in South Mumbai, which is more affluent. South Mumbaikers prefer to travel in their private vehicles. The existence of auto rickshaws is pretty much pointless for them.
Having said that, the auto-rickshaw drivers can make a huge profit if they are permitted to enter the town area.
They even protested in 2011 in the Azad Maidan. This is when the authorities ran a signature campaign to get to know the views of South Mumbai people, which didn’t work in the favor of auto-rickshaw drivers.
3. To keep the real estate price high
South Mumbai is a leading destination for real estate investors and homebuyers. The city has ranked first in the list of expensive places in India. The GROHE-HURUN India Real Estate Rich List 2021 consists of 30 South Mumbaikers.
Auto rickshaws are a nuisance, and their presence in the city leads to a decrease in real estate prices.
The streets in a premium city like South Mumbai should be clear of auto-rickshaws and other similar vehicles. The aesthetics of the city get compromised when you let thousands of them in.
4. Taxi drivers have a monopoly in South Mumbai
The black-and-yellow (also known as kali—peeli) taxis have been around for a long time. The first kali-peeli Padmini taxi was seen in 1964, whereas auto-rickshaws were introduced a couple of decades later.
Naturally, the taximen union is way more powerful. and they have been strongly opposed to the introduction of autos in South Mumbai.
In places where taxis and autos co-exist, autos take away the business from taxis as they are cheaper, and greater in numbers. Hence, it makes sense for the taxi union in South Mumbai to hold on to the privilege.
Conclusion
Auto rickshaws come under the lightweight vehicle category, hence the authorities have assigned them for suburban and rural areas only. Taxis are more suited to a premium city, as people living there prefer a car over a three-wheeler vehicle. Taking into consideration the above points, the authorities have made South Mumbai an auto-rickshaw-free zone. I hope you now know why auto-rickshaws are not allowed in south Mumbai.
