Travelling in this auto is a joyride

Vidya Menon / TNN / Dec 3, 2005, 00:37 IST

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It might not be another palace on wheels, but a ride in Baldev Raj's three-wheeler will definitely be different.

NEW DELHI: It might not be another palace on wheels, but a ride in Baldev Raj's three-wheeler will definitely be different from your usual auto rickshaw experience.
For, with TV, telephone, newspaper, fan and cold water facilities, DL-IR H3013 is perhaps the only luxury auto rickshaw in the city.
What more, while Baldev does not charge extra for any of the facilities �� one local call is free for all passengers from his mobile phones �� he is also very particular about going by the meter.
"Delhi gets a lot of visitors from outside and I have heard many complaints about fleecing against the city's auto drivers. I want to change my fraternity's reputation in whichever little way I can. People should go back and say good things about us," says he.

While TV and telephone may be sheer luxuries, Baldev is also aware of his social responsibilities �� he charges 10 per cent less from senior citizens and provides free service to the injured.
"Many senior citizens are not able to afford even auto rickshaw rides. That's why I have decided to charge them less," he explains.
"Around three months back, I saw a man injured in a road accident. Nobody was willing to take him to the hospital. Keeping in mind bhai saab's directions, I rushed him to the hospital," says Ravinder, whom Baldev has hired as part-time driver.

Apart from the facilities, a lot of detailing has gone into doing up the vehicle's interior: Curtains, little soft pillows, artificial flowers and even media reports on the luxury vehicle are on display.
But in a city where most auto rickshaw drivers overcharge and refuse to go by the meter, is it economically viable to ply a deluxe three-wheeler?
"The rates fixed by the government is absolutely fine and there is no question of running on loss. Also, contrary to public perception, maintenance does not cost much," says Baldev.
"Even if you spend a little more once in a while, one extra ride is all that it takes to balance the account," Ravinder says.
According to Baldev, ever since he started plying the deluxe vehicle around two-and-a-half years ago (before that he drove 'ordinary' autos), all he has got is appreciation.
"People are very supportive. Some days back, somebody called me up from the US saying her son had travelled in my auto when in Delhi. It felt so wonderful.
There are instances when children fiddle with the accessories in the vehicle, but they are rare," says Baldev.
So what are his future plans for the vehicle? "If I could fix windows and glass doors on this vehicle, I would make it air-conditioned. This will then be better than the TSRs that ply in this city," he says.
Meanwhile, Ravinder is proud to show off the vehicle. "Baldev has inspired many auto drivers in our locality. A lot of them used to overcharge earlier, but have stopped it now. That is no mean achievement," he claims.
Perhaps these two men really believe that it's the journey and not the destination that counts!

About the Author

Vidya Menon

A deskie, she finds copy errors particularly pesky. Hobbies include reading and making grand plans that are never executed. Hates physics, but loves metaphysics.

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