Why Auto-Rickshaws Matter for India

With rapid population growth in Indian cities and a rise in private car ownership, it is critical to reassess the role of auto-rickshaws in the urban transportation landscape, say Akshay Mani and Amit Bhatt.

1 minute read

April 21, 2010, 10:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Akshay Mani and Amit Bhatt are from the Centre for Sustainable Transport in India (CST-India). They say that promoting auto-rickshaws is a key part of developing an integrated public transport system and stalling the growth of private cars in India.

They write, "From a policy standpoint, there seems to be a lack of awareness about these issues in the eyes of public officials. Auto-rickshaws are seen as a mode of the past, with little or no role to play in the urban transportation landscape."

Thanks to Erica Schlaikjer

Monday, April 19, 2010 in TheCityFix Mumbai

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