Kolkata: Auto drivers face Metro axe, look at feeder services for IT hubs

By: Mayukh SenguptaKOLKATA: Auto drivers from Karunamoyee and Baisakhi in Salt Lake, who would ferry commuters to Sector V, blamed the E-W Sealdah extension for a significant drop in their passenger count and consequently, their earnings. At the same time, Metro passengers faced problems finding last-mile transport to their workplaces in the Salt Lake and New Town IT hubs. Auto union leaders met police and NDITA officials, hoping to find a solution to the problem.Following the talks, they came upon a few immediate solutions, such as initiation of a new auto route from the Sector V Metro station to the Sector V IT hub and starting feeder services from the Karunamoyee and Sector V stations to deeper into New Town. Police have asked auto union leaders to apply to the RTA for the new routes, which they would also approve. Space has also been allotted for a new auto stand on the canal-side road in DL Block.Currently, autos from Karunamoyee and Baisakhi have routes to Sector V and there is a third route from Karunamoyee to New Town bus stand, but its services are infrequent. "I have been driving auto between Karunamoyee and Sector V for 14 years. By 1pm on weekdays, we earn Rs 600-Rs 700. But on Thursday, I could make only Rs 250 till 1.30pm. I wonder what is going to happen in coming weeks," said Jagadish Mondal, who charges Rs 15 per person on one way. Mondal, said given an opportunity, he would shift to the new auto route ferrying passengers from Sector V metro station to the interiors of Sector V tech hub.Chandan Das, a driver of Karunamoyee-SAI Complex auto route echoed Mondal: "Almost every auto on the route had to wait for several minutes to get enough number of passengers. We had never faced this situation during office hours earlier. The union leaders should take some step to handle this situation or we will not be able to run our family." The impact was also felt 6km away at Ultadanga, where thousands of daily commuters used to get down at Bidhannagar Road station and headed to Sector V and New Town IT offices.Hidco is also trying to set up a feeder vehicle service from Sector V Metro station to different points of Sector V as well as New Town. "RITES is holding a study to check viability of an all-electric transport for the feeder services. Options of electric autos, electric buses as well as electric cycles are in the reckoning. We have written to the state transport department for shuttle e-vehicles between Sector V station and New Town bus stand via Sector V," said an official.