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Kolkata: Iconic Yellow Taxis Return As Heritage Cabs Featuring Seatbelts, Airbags And More

Passengers can book these taxis through the government's 'Yatri Sathi' application.

by Tooba Shaikh
Kolkata: Iconic Yellow Taxis Return As Heritage Cabs Featuring Seatbelts, Airbags And More

The West Bengal government, in collaboration with a private enterprise, has launched a modernised fleet of yellow taxis to preserve the heritage of Kolkata’s iconic yellow cabs, which have been steadily disappearing from the city’s streets. Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty officially inaugurated the initial 20 hatchbacks of the ‘Yellow Heritage Cabs’ programme on Friday, accompanied by Transport Secretary Soumitra Mohan and other officials. The initiative aims to evoke nostalgia whilst providing modern transportation options.

Kolkata: Iconic Yellow Taxis Return As Heritage Cabs

According to transport department sources, approximately 3,000 of these modernised vehicles will be introduced within the next two months. The private company has partnered with a leading automobile manufacturer to produce these taxis.

According to an article that was recently published by NDTV, it will run on both CNG and petrol. Distinctively, the vehicles display decorative imagery of Kolkata’s famous landmarks. These include the Victoria Memorial Hall and the Howrah Bridge, creating a visual connection to the city’s cultural identity.

Passengers can book these taxis through the government’s ‘Yatri Sathi’ application, integrating traditional transportation with modern technology. This initiative responds to the Calcutta High Court’s 2009 ruling.

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What Are The Features Of These New Vehicles

The ruling ordered that commercial vehicles older than 15 years would be prohibited from operating within the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority area. The new fleet boasts contemporary safety features, including seatbelts and airbags, addressing concerns about the older models.

This directive has accelerated the decline of traditional yellow taxis, with numbers dropping dramatically from about 20,000 three years ago to fewer than 2,000 expected by late 2025.

The traditional metered yellow taxis are projected to disappear completely from Kolkata’s roads by 2027-28, marking the end of an era for these vehicles that have been an integral part of the city’s character and transportation network for generations.

The ‘Yellow Heritage Cabs’ project represents an effort to balance modernisation requirements with the preservation of a cultural icon that has defined Kolkata’s streetscape for decades.

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Are you looking forward to seeing these heritage cabs on the streets of Kolkata again? Let us know in the comments section below!

Cover Image Credits: @DS24IN/X (Formerly, Twitter)

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First Published: March 03, 2025 1:33 PM