7-SEATERS - A POPULAR JOY RIDE?The IT-hooked Hyderabad has been
constantly expanding with the steady increase in its population, both in the city and its
outlying areas. As more and more commuters from the outskirts make their daily trips to
the central pockets of the city, the inadequacy in the transport infrastructure seems all
the more acute.
Unlike places like Mumbai and Calcutta where the local trains draw people from all social
strata Hyderabad did not have any alternative mode of transport till very recent. It was
only after the entry of seven-seater autos, better known as mini taxis that all those who
rely heavily on public transport, for the first time seemed to possess a choice. The small
taxis became instant favourites mainly because of the flexibility they offered to the
passengers. They stopped anywhere you liked them to and usually operated late into the
night. But all of a sudden, the mini taxis made an unceremonious exit from the city's
landscape following a ban imposed on them within the city limits by the state government.
The ban, however, was destined to be short-lived as a court order revoked it on the demand
of aggrieved passengers. Now people are back to their familiar bumpy ride with the
friendly driver sweeping off the passengers right from the road. Moreover, the smiles have
definitely returned to those wary faces that faced a lot of hardship during the ban
period.
‘Panjagutta,
Erragadda, Panjagutta, Erragadda' - the young kid called out while balancing
like an acrobat from the seven-seater.
"Arre mini taxia phir suru ho gaye kiya" - came a tentative query
from one of the bystanders.
"Phir nahito kiya, public ko mini taxion par nazar hain" - the young boy
sounded extremely cocky as if he was making a politically correct statement.
The 7-seaters have been the all time favourite of the people that
sometimes it so appears that the passengers are having a joy ride in them. Another aspect
that attributes to its uncommon popularity is the cost factor. All said and done,
travelling by mini taxis works out to being downright cheap. "When there were no mini
taxis I once paid 40 bucks for auto to Pension Office, now for the same distance I pay
only three bucks," says a relived passenger.
However, the mini taxis as a concept do not fit into the grandiose
scheme that aims at converting Hyderabad into a prototype modern city, a la Singapore!
Well dreaming is not entirely undesirable but at the same time one has to be realistic. As
of now, the city does not have a local train network like Mumbai where some one of the
stature of Sanjana Kapoor, a star kid, boards the local train along with the millionaire
stockbrokers. They symbolize the fast speed of a metropolis where no one can afford to
wait for things to happen. It is usually now or never in big cities like Mumbai and
Calcutta.
The romantic vision of a subway (underground train) still remains a remote possibility in
this Nizami city. At the same time, the city is no longer the same place it used to be
years ago! Its pace has increased dramatically and people have long since ceased to be
laid back in a strict sense. In simple words, Hyderabad has become too fast and distances
have become too long. So if you are really getting late for a pressing appointment, don't
dither! Just hop into one of these taxis, you would sure reach your destination. Meanwhile
the chariot race is back on the streets as these autos wade their way through the choking
traffic. "Swing low, sweet chariot, coming forward to carry me home." So if you
are waiting for a ride home, just hop aboard for it can get you to your very doorstep!
