After almost six decades, black-yellow Padmini taxis will no longer ply in Mumbai

For the last several decades, if anyone thought about the country's financial capital Mumbai, the picture of the city's 'Premier Padmini' taxi would definitely emerge in his mind.

This taxi service, which has been a convenient means of transportation for the common people for decades, was known as 'Kali-Pili', which reflects its colour. The residents of the city have a deep connection with this taxi service and now after almost six decades, its "journey" is about to end.

After the new model and app-based cab services, these black and yellow taxis will now go off the roads of Mumbai. Recently, after the famous red double-decker diesel buses of public transporter 'BEST' were removed from the roads, now even black and yellow taxis will not be seen.

A transport department official said the last 'Premier Padmini' was registered as a black-and-yellow taxi at Tardeo RTO on October 29, 2003. Since the time limit for operating cabs in the city is 20 years, 'Premier Padmini' taxis will no longer officially operate in Mumbai from Monday.

Prabhadevi, owner of Mumbai's last registered Premier Padmini taxi (MH-01-JA-2556), said, "This is the pride of Mumbai and our life."

At the same time, some people have demanded that at least one 'Premier Padmini' should be preserved on the road or in a museum.

Daniel Sequeira, a vintage taxi car enthusiast, said that these sturdy taxis have been a part of the city's landscape for more than five decades and have been an emotional attachment to them for many generations.

A few years ago, the Mumbai Taximen's Union, the city's largest taxi drivers' union, had petitioned the government to preserve at least one black-and-yellow taxi, but without success.

Parel resident and art lover Pradeep Palav said that nowadays 'Premier Padmini' taxis can only be seen in graffiti on walls in Mumbai.

He said, “Although it has gradually disappeared, it has made a place in the hearts of the people.”

AL Quadros, General Secretary, Mumbai Taximen's Union, recalled that the journey of 'Premier Padmini' as a taxi started in 1964 with the 'Fiat-1100 Delight' model.