Kerim's Lifelog

Indian capital looks to phase out famous green and yellow motorised three-wheelers, citing pollution and rude drivers

The Indian capital's streets are notorious for the swarms of green and yellow autorickshaws – and for their surly, betel nut-chewing and overcharging drivers.

But their days may be numbered after Delhi's chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, said she wanted to see the three-wheelers phased out within five years.

Amid uproar in the state assembly, she said that no ban would be imposed "immediately". But Dikshit's comments signalled the likely start of a long campaign to prepare public opinion for the demise of one of the capital's best-known sights.

"Autorickshaws are not a good option. They are uncomfortable and pollute [the] environment. Autorickshaw drivers are unruly and harass passengers," she said.

The authorities in the congested city are struggling to find ways to handle increasing levels of traffic brought on by India's economic boom. Three times as many cars, buses and motorbikes clog the country's roads as 15 years ago. Laws intended to restrict the number of autorickshaws in Delhi are widely flouted. Though the city has 55,000 registered, at least another 25,000 operate illegally.

Most of their drivers are poor and live in the city's slums. "If they ban us what will we do for work? I've children to feed," said Mohammed Imran Khan, a driver from the southern Delhi neighbourhood of Nizamuddin.

Dikshit said that the city was looking at introducing electric cars or electric motorbikes to replace the autorickshaws.

"I was recently told that cycles are fitted with electric motors. This will be good for travelling short distances," she said.

Dikshit has repeatedly said that making Delhi a world-class city is a key aim. The city has already tried to limit the number of cycle rickshaws. But India's supreme court ruled last month that capping their numbers was illegal.

The defenders of the motorised versions point out that, as the vehicles run on compressed natural gas, their contribution to air pollution in the city is minimal compared with cars. Others argue that rickshaws fulfil an essential function in ferrying people short distances to metro stations or bus stops.

Dikshit has another Delhi icon in her sights: the famous brusqueness of the capital's inhabitants. She hopes to bring about a major "cultural change" before Delhi hosts the Commonwealth games this autumn.

"We have to do some things that are extremely basic like keeping the city clean, giving our citizens the culture of politeness and sharing and caring for each other, so that the world goes back with an impression that they have been to a truly civilized city," she said.

Khan said he was always polite and never overcharged.

"I don't even spit when people are in my rickshaw," he said. "That's how polite I am."