@shikha this is an awesome idea...seriously the autoricks need to have a big indicating lamp. And also a fare meter on top of the roof showing the price they are going to charge the inmates. I am tired of seeing the morons fleecing money out of the desperate travelers.

Dude this idea is mean't for Sheila Dikhshit and not HT ... not sure if HT is looking to become a moderator between the people and the Government.

If not media then who else will act as moderator between common man and Government?? I dont think I can ever approach Sheila Dikshit for giving my ideas.

the idea is simply great yar... and it really needs an appluase.. a big hand for u..... well i totally agree wid u n arvindnigam and totally disagree wid rookie.. coz u r absolutely right in saying that.. media is the only moderator b/w common man and the govt...

i hope HT will surely consider some ideas as serious and pass it on to the govt. on our behalf(or atleast cud get these ideas in notice to the govt.)

Hi Shikha,

Great idea. The basic lamp is of course staple in most countries' cabs of any kind - to indicate if they are occupied or not and available for a ride. Having lived in Delhi for a number of years in the mid-80's, I love the humor (and insight) of your and Arvind's thots! There should be indicators for mood, willingness to go where you want to go, what price they will charge - never mind the meter, how rashly or well will they drive, etc. etc. LoL. Anyway - just kidding - but like your idea! Take it to Sheila Dikshit as well!! After all, this will also a be a money making opportunity - think of the overall supply chain - from the lamp manufacturers to the distributers to the installers to the auto drivers to the hawaldars collecting hafta...:-) Anyway - good luck on this one. I do hope it gets implemented and HT helps you in that task. Rgds, Mahesh

its a brilliant idea :)

:) :)

No really this is a good initiative to pursue. Delhi needs to improve the commuting & safety a lot. And HT should take this idea to Sheila Dikshit or whoever it is concerned with the task...

I completely agree with Shikha and the follow-up suggestion given by Arvind. This should be enforced not only in Delhi, but in NCR also and at every place where the autorickshaw people are always ready to ransack people's pockets. The "Pre-paid" system that has been enforced at the Delhi railway stations should be enforced everywhere. Let there be fixed fares for all the destinations. Why should a person shell out more money - a practice that is completely unjustified. Hasn't he/she put in efforts to earn the same. Let there be a strict body monitoring this whole process. there are so many unemployed people in India if that is one of the reasons for not implementing such measures. This is just one area. There are so many aspects to it.

@agreed 'enforcement' seems the only way to set things straight. Infact despite enforcement, there is so much looting on the railway station....autowallas charge more than double their expenditure between Noida & Delhi. And they would sometimes drop people somewhere in the middle of samachar apartments & Akshardham... stern actions should be taken against these defaulters.

wow!!! This is truly required in the capital region. HT can definitely take this idea to Delhi ministry before Commonwealth games.

ht guys have BMW's they don't see value with autorickshaws...:(

This is a very neat and useful forum ... but how does HT listen on this forum? Who all are from HT?

HT has taken initiative by inviting its readers to give useful suggestions. HT is listening to them and probably some suggestions are in-process.

The pictures you see on the right side of this blog are the moderators from HT.

Thanks Ms. Shikha.

this is such a brilliant idea...i see 4 months have lapsed since the time it was first put forth..why has it not been publicized by HT???I see the pictures on the right...but why are they so passive....moderators need to be actively involved....just pictures wont serve any purpose!

The moderators on the side are completely busy minting money alongside politicians. I have not seen even one coming online even once.

Now, Autorikshaws are demanding for price hike.

Doesn't it sound weird??

Is there a single autorikshaw in delhi who is charging the nominal charges. Is anyone's meter running? They run away if u ask them to start meter. Nobody's stopping them from violating rules. I feel they have no right to ask for price hike until they themselves follow the rules and do their jobs with responsibility.

They are already charging prices double then what is set by the Govt.

Actually, the Government has no control on anything. Each official is focused on his caste and I have come to believe what China said a couple of years back - the optimum solution for India is to separate into smaller states which are governed by its own majority.

This is an excellent idea. In my opinion auto rickshaws should be removed from the roads completely considering their out-dated technology and unsafe structure.

Autorikshaws?? WTF is that?

someone has no clue about autorikshaws...this is India allowing freedom of speech to all people. BTW don't worry shikha you have raised a valid current issue do keep it up ignore people like one above using abusive language on public forum...may not be Indian I beleive.

WTF is not abusive language Mister Dinesh. Go and check the new parliamentary language up there. One can be an @#$%, even if he/she is an Indian. Just like you.

Auto rickshaws are safer than taxi's in that they are open from both the sides. Delhi is safer with auto-rickshaws around.

Dear Sir @iloveindia I don't know from which country (sorry if u r an NRI) you belongs to but please do not make any judgment about Indians or our language by looking at our parliamentary language. We believe in Atithi devo bhavo and respect you coming to Indian platform and sharing your views but please try to use sober slang and avoid using these words. You can log on to facebook and exercise your mind fully with your style and satisfy yourself but it would be better if you leave the newspapers forum aside. About your query on "autoriksha" is our local taxi also called three-wheeler most popular in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines & Bangkok.

I like this idea of having a "indicator lamp" on top of auto rickshaws. But Neha, auto-ricks are not as safe as taxis when it comes to crash testing and road safety.