Delhi to Ban Autorickshaws

One of New Delhi’s most common sights could soon become a thing of the past. A new proposal seeks to ban the more than 55,000 licensed green and yellow autorickshaws in the city—along with the 25,000 more that operate illegally. Proposed by Delhi's chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, the ban would take about five years to phase all of them out (when she was met with anger in the state assembly, she said that it would not be imposed immediately). The three-wheel taxis have proliferated in Delhi’s streets with India’s economic boom and a high court ruled last month that it would be illegal to cap their numbers. “Autorickshaws are not a good option,” Dikshit said. “They are uncomfortable and pollute [the] environment. Autorickshaw drivers are unruly and harass passengers.” But drivers rejected the charge. "I don't even spit when people are in my rickshaw," one told The Guardian. "That's how polite I am."