The yellow taxi. Kolkata’s nostalgia. It is also an icon of Kolkata. From Monday, its existence is in even greater crisis. It was still running on the hope of passengers from Howrah, Sealdah station and the airport. But for the last couple of days, there has been a slump at the taxi stands there. The only hope is long-distance passengers returning on late-night trains. But it is difficult to cover the day’s expenses with that. Naturally, worry lines crease their foreheads. Will Kolkata’s nostalgic yellow taxi come to a permanent halt!

For about a decade now, app-based cabs have been proliferating in the city. And since their arrival, the yellow taxi has been struggling. Passengers were also becoming practically annoyed with the taxis due to driver extortion in the name of fares, meters not being used, broken windows, and torn, shabby seats without AC. Even then, passengers from the airport and Howrah, Sealdah station’s pre-paid booths or stands would still take these taxis to their destinations. But after the metro route connected Howrah and Sealdah, passengers getting off long-distance trains are also taking the metro. The cost is lower, and along with that, they reach their destination comfortably enjoying the AC breeze. So, naturally, yellow taxi drivers are shooing away flies.

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There is a lot of nostalgia, emotion, and feeling surrounding this taxi. But that nostalgia is now on the path to extinction. With the expansion of the city’s lifeline, Kolkata’s heritage is facing an existential crisis. Drivers report that passengers started decreasing after app cabs arrived. Passengers don’t want to leave AC cars to get into taxis. They book cabs on apps, standing anywhere. With earnings reduced, many have stopped driving taxis. Then, due to the 15-year age limit, many taxis have been grounded. Now, only about four thousand come out on the roads. According to the drivers, even then, after paying rent to the owner and for fuel, they used to make five to six hundred rupees a day. But with the metro’s expansion, even that is not happening now.

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The taxi organization states that the number of yellow taxis in the city has dwindled to around thirty-five hundred to four thousand. In December, another fifteen hundred will be grounded as they complete 15 years. After that, running the remaining few will not even cover the drivers’ food expenses. And so, drivers are desperate to find alternative means. Passengers say the metro now covers the city and suburbs. For much less cost, passengers can travel worry-free, avoiding traffic jams, enjoying the AC breeze, and reaching their destination quickly. The convenor of the AITUC-approved West Bengal Taxi Operators Coordination Committee says, «With the metro starting in all directions, taxi passengers have reduced greatly. As a result, we will appeal to the government to arrange alternative livelihoods to save the taxi drivers and their families.»

Howrah

Howrah is a major city in the Indian state of West Bengal, located on the western bank of the Hooghly River opposite Kolkata. It is historically significant as a major transportation and industrial hub, with its iconic Howrah Bridge, completed in 1943, being one of the world’s busiest cantilever bridges.

Sealdah

Sealdah is a major railway station and transportation hub in Kolkata, India, which first opened in 1869. It serves as a critical terminal for suburban commuter trains connecting the city to its eastern and northeastern suburbs. The station and its surrounding area are historically significant as a gateway for refugees arriving in the city during the Partition of Bengal in 1947.

Kolkata

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India’s West Bengal state and a major historical and cultural hub. It served as the capital of British India until 1911, a history reflected in its grand colonial architecture like the Victoria Memorial. The city is also renowned as a center for art, literature, and intellectual thought.

Howrah station

Howrah Station is one of India’s oldest and busiest railway stations, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was first established in 1854 and the current iconic structure was completed in 1905, serving as a major gateway to the city. The station is renowned for its historic architecture and remains a vital hub for millions of passengers.

Sealdah station

Sealdah is one of the major railway stations in Kolkata, India, serving as a vital transportation hub for the eastern suburbs. It was originally established in 1862 and was significantly expanded in the 20th century to accommodate growing commuter traffic. The station is historically notable for its role during the Partition of Bengal and the subsequent refugee crisis, serving as a major entry point for millions of people displaced from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

West Bengal Taxi Operators Coordination Committee

The West Bengal Taxi Operators’ Coordination Committee is not a cultural site, but a trade union and advocacy group formed to represent the interests of taxi drivers and owners in the region. It was established to coordinate actions and negotiate with government authorities on issues like fares, regulations, and policies affecting their livelihood. The committee has played a significant role in organizing strikes and protests throughout its history to advocate for the welfare of its members.

AITUC

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) is not a physical place but a major trade union federation in India. It was founded in 1920 and is one of the oldest and largest trade union centers in the country, historically associated with the Communist Party of India. Its formation marked a significant moment in the history of the Indian labor movement, organizing workers to fight for their rights and better working conditions.

metro

The metro, or subway, is an underground railway system designed for high-capacity public transport in urban areas. The world’s first metro system, the London Underground, opened in 1863 to alleviate street traffic and was initially powered by steam locomotives. These networks have since become vital infrastructure in major cities worldwide, revolutionizing urban mobility and shaping metropolitan development.