Sophistication and auto rickshaws in India are poles apart. Ask any person on the street and he would admit to having a row with an auto driver. They feel that the passengers are some kind of multi billionaires who have all the money in the world to pay the sum they ask for. But then, it’s the same for everyone…money doesn’t grow on trees and so; one has to work hard to earn it.

But its time that this sheer callousness be answered with tough measures! The Delhi government has the onus on the passengers itself in the form of increased rates. This can be considered a positive sign because now, autos are finally run on meters. And we realize that what I used to pay based on the demands of the auto waalas turned out to be much more than what the meter reading shows now. Not that increased expenses are good news for anyone but atleast the law is being followed for a change.

On the other hand, it has been decided by the Government of Maharashtra that it is high time that these auto fellows get their lessons in etiquette. However, the most novel of the measures has been adopted by the Government of Karnataka. If things go as per the wishes of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), soon Bangalore would have Nanos replacing the local auto rickshaws.

This can be considered as one sure shot way to move to being a better equipped city with Nanos as taxis instead of the rugged auto rickshaws. Nanos are the cars for the common man and so, with them as taxis, it would definitely help improve how the city looks. At the same time, it is also a cost effective and a comfortable mode for local transport.

As of now, about 10,000 Nanos are being planned to be bought. These purchased cars would then be rented out. The profits would be shared between the government and the driver with the government owning 40 percent of the profits and the drivers catering to the rest 60 percent. The initial investment for buying these cars would be provided from the government’s resources or some form of loans would be taken.

The biggest question however remains to be answered- “How effective is this concept going to be?” Agreed that any vehicle (Nano in this case) would be much more comfortable than a rickety auto! With this, there would be less exposure to dust and pollution while riding in a car than in an auto.

On the more technical side, both a Nano as well as an auto rickshaw cost Rs. 1.3 lacks. But an auto gives more mileage at 25 kmpl when compared to Nano at 20 kmpl. Nano tends to emit 101 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer where as when it comes to an auto rickshaw; it depends on whether it is a two-stroke one or a four-stroke one. In both the cases, the emissions are much less than that emitted by Nano. A two-stroke auto gives out 87.2 per kilometer where as a four-stroke one emits 85.6 per kilometer. At the same time, autos run on LPGs emit even less. Keeping these points, auto are more eco-friendly than other better vehicles.

Above all, the major question is not how to beautify the nation with better infrastructure. Instead, what would the nation prefer-comfort or eco-friendly environment?