Blame red tape for transports’ colour warp

Despite signing an agreement six months ago, the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are yet to issue a single permit to an auto or a taxi to move freely between the NCR towns, reports Atul Mathur.

Next time you pay through your nose for a ride back home in an auto to your residence in the suburbs of Delhi, blame it on the bureaucratic red tape.

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Despite signing an agreement six months ago, the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are yet to issue a single permit to an auto or a taxi to move freely between the National Capital Region (NCR) towns.

Reason: Black and yellow colour of autos and taxis cannot be changed unless the Central Motor Vehicle Act is amended.

Under the agreement, the autos and taxis applying for permit to move between NCR towns will be painted white.

Delhi government officials said the Union ministry is sitting over the file for almost three months now.

“We sent them (Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) the agreement signed by the member states in February this year,” a senior transport department official. “They have not responded.” He requested anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The official said only the Central government can frame rules regarding the colour of the vehicle. “Till the rules are framed, the Central government could have given us the administrative authority,” the official said.

“Certain amendments have to be carried out. A committee has examined the provisions of the agreement. We hope to clear the proposal soon,” said SK Dash, joint secretary, Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.