Indian Institute of
Technology, New Delhi
New Delhi, Delhi 110018
Professor Anoop Chawla
Volvo Chair & Professor
at the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Indian Institute of
Technology, New Delhi
New Delhi, Delhi 110018
Date: 14th October, 2022
In a report by the Centre for Digital
Economy Policy Research (C-DEP), in collaboration with Professor Anoop Chawla
from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, it was found that income levels
of autorickshaw drivers can be boosted by minor modifications of existing
regulations.
This report, titled as, Amplifying
Income Potential of Three-Wheeler Auto-Rickshaw Drivers: Case for Dual
Licensing Policy, studies the three-wheeler autorickshaw
industry and points out that the drivers of these autorickshaws are in a
perpetual state of economic hardship. This is because the three-wheeler drivers
have significant number of idle hours with no revenue generation in the absence
of alternative usage of their assets for meaningful revenue generation. The
report found that the daily working hours of auto drivers is approximately
10-12 hours, and the mean distance travelled varies from 70 to 80 kms. Thus, at
an average speed of 25kmph, it amounts to a utilization of only about 30-35%. The
underutilization of the autorickshaw as an asset is also a national economic
loss.
Thus, keeping the above in mind, the report suggests the government should launch a pilot program for a limited experimentation period to observe the benefits of a Dual Licensing Policy and assess its overall impact on the eco-system. While the pilot is commissioned with appropriate approvals from the government authorities, it is also suggested that the government may consider the option of working towards the creation of a committee/working group with representatives from industry, academia, technical experts and representatives from the autorickshaw drivers, focusing on the income enhancement of auto rickshaw drivers through the adoption of dual licensing permits for three-wheeler autorickshaws.
The report further indicates the
benefits of a dual licensing policy through substantial data points and key
readings as mentioned below:
Auto
Drivers in Delhi |
|
Current
Status |
Post
Dual Licensing (estimated) |
Daily
Collection (INR): 700 – 800 Daily
Expense (INR): 200 – 300 Additional
Monthly Expenses (INR): 2000 – 3500 (servicing, renewing permits,
etc.) Daily
Earning (INR): 500 – 600 |
Additional Daily Mileage (KMS) – 60 Additional Gross Income (INR) – 600 Net Surplus (INR) – 300 – 400 (after accounting fuel and food expenses) |
· The report also indicated that from a comparison of regulatory requirements, the structural requirements for three-wheelers intended for passenger carrier (L5-M vehicles), and goods carrier (L5-N vehicles) have only one major distinction - the requirement for a separate load body or compartment for carrying goods. Consequently, any passenger three-wheeler can serve as goods carrier if the goods are transported duly following the proposed safety measures.
· Further, after an analysis of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the report showcased that the central government has the power to exempt specified categories of vehicles from the applicability of the law to promote innovation, research, and development in the fields of vehicular engineering, mechanically propelled vehicles, and transportation.
Dr.
RK Mitra, Principal Advisor, Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research (C-DEP) said, "Dual usage/licensing of
three-wheeler autorickshaws will pave the way for innovation, in-city logistics
and ease of doing business."
Commenting on the study, Ashish Rawat,
CES, (Road, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways)
said, “As a policymaker, safety will be a primary concern while considering the
dual licensing policy. Fleet management system will also be very crucial for
effective implementation of the policy.”
Professor P. Vigneswara, Dept. of
Management Studies, IIT- Delhi said,”
Stakeholders need to be educated on the usage of the policy. There will be
multiple benefits of such a dual usage licensing policy in terms of creating
revenue for drivers, enhanced last mile connectivity. On the brighter side,
household income of drivers will also increase creating a positive impression
on the country’s overall economy.”
“Autorickshaws
are the backbone of the Indian urban passenger carry segment. With more and
more tech enabled aggregator platforms, the importance and demand of
autorickshaws will only grow in the coming years. They hold tremendous
potential to penetrate into the logistics ecosystem, which in itself is a
major contributor to the Indian economy. The adoption of dual licensing
permits for three-wheeler autorickshaws will also ensure a rise in the gross
income of drivers, subsequently uplifting their economic status” – Professor
Anoop Chawla, Indian Institute of Technology. |
“Dual licensing is a unique initiative that will ensure significant increase in the income levels of the auto rickshaw drivers by ensuring access to more segments in the Indian urban logistics. It will also lead to greater utilization of the autorickshaw as an economic asset and thus increase productivity in the economy. We strongly recommend that government should consider adopting a roadmap to enable autorickshaw drivers to access the small cargo carrying market” – Quote by Dr. Jaijit Bhattacharya
About CDEP:
CDEP is an independent Delhi Based
think tank focused on digital transformation through dedicated policy research
in the area of digital economy.
The organization’s main focus is on
promoting aspects of the Indian Digital Economy and to facilitate the creation
of a larger e-commerce, manufacturing and services ecosystem, based on
non-discriminatory policies.
C-DEP’s objective is to bring together
the finest brains in Academia and Industry to formulate draft policies on
Digital Economy that will help economic growth and prosperity of India. It
collaborates with thought leaders from across the world, for the purpose of
supporting and sensitizing the Government of India in its various initiatives to
make India a global digital industry hub.
CDEP Address: E-158, Second Floor,
Kalkaji, New Delhi – 110019.
Contact person: Sharad Venkatraman, Senior
Policy Analyst
Contact No: +91 9040898228
About Professor Anoop Chawla:
Professor Anoop Chawla is the Volvo
Chair & Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian
Institute of Technology. He was previously associated with University of
Illinois at Urbana Champaign as a Visiting Faculty for Computer Science and
Engineering. He is an also fellow of the Institution of Engineers, India.
Professor Chawla has various
publications in the field of mechanical engineering, such as, Motorcycle
safety device investigation: A case study on airbags and Three-wheeled scooter
taxi: A safety analysis.
Dr Chawla holds a PhD from the Indian
Institute of Technology Kanpur.
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