Amid the high demand for autorickshaws in the suburbs and an impressive ridership of up to 50 lakh, transportation experts are urging the government to permit electric autorickshaws in Mumbai’s island city. These experts argue that e-rickshaws produce minimal noise pollution, a crucial factor in the bustling city, and more significantly, they can transport more passengers per square meter of road space compared to cars.
The proponents of e-autos also emphasize that these vehicles can conduct more trips in a day and ferry about 100 passengers daily, in stark contrast to cars, which often accommodate only 6 to 8 individuals and remain parked for extended periods. Activists are urging traffic-related agencies to analyze statistics, traffic counts, vehicle usage patterns, and specific areas before devising an overarching strategy.
Transport analyst Ashok Datar, who is advocating for e-rickshaws in the island city, suggested that the e-auto fleet could complement the railway services on the Main and Harbour lines in the heart of Mumbai.
Nevertheless, another faction of activists opposes such a move. Currently, autorickshaws are restricted to the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai and are not permitted in the island city, which encompasses the region between Sion/Mahim and Colaba. Transport activist A. V. Shenoy argued, “Most parts of South Mumbai have narrow lanes, and introducing autorickshaws, whether electric or non-electric, would lead to significant congestion.”
According to Datar, electric autorickshaws would be affordable, quiet, and environmentally friendly, providing economical shared transportation options outside railway stations.
However, many residents and taxi drivers oppose the introduction of autorickshaws to the island city. Activist Gaurang Vora, a resident of the island city, cautioned, “Allowing autorickshaws would transform the roads into a motorist’s nightmare, increasing congestion, disrupting traffic flow, fostering road indiscipline, and exacerbating noise pollution.” Taxi union leaders echoed these concerns, asserting that autorickshaws would create chaos near station areas and encroach on their parking spaces.
A transportation official noted that the issue had been discussed extensively in the past, with the consensus being that autorickshaws should not be allowed in the island city to prevent traffic indiscipline and congestion.
