Autos may be soon taken off Delhi roads

NEW DELHI: Autos in the national capital, best known for fleecing commuters, may soon be taken off the roads with city government mulling a proposal to replace them with eco-friendly battery operated vehicles.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, slamming the auto operators for their "poor standard of service", said government was working on alternatives to provide the commuters a better way of transportation.

"Their service is very poor. In today's time, it is not acceptable. We are exploring ways to phase them out," Dikshit said in the state Assembly.

She said government was in touch with auto makers Honda and Bajaj to provide battery operated eco-friendly vehicles so that autos could be replaced.

"Honda and Bajaj are working on providing battery operated vehicles," she said replying to a question by BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi.

Speaking on the issue, Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said government felt the need for an alternative to the autos.

"There is a need to rein in the autos. A system on the lines of radio taxis could be an alternative. We are working on it," he said.