Kolkata Transportation Thread - (Surface/Water only)

[NiladriG]

Originally Posted by arvind1982

the above picture is of Tambaram in Chennai... Just look, the footpath is so clean, no encroachments, no hawkers i am so jealous

Even in Bangalore, I didn't see such rampant encroachments like Kolkata. The space below the flyovers in Bangalore are not encroached by hawkers and vendors. Also Kolkata has a lot of low end immigrants who creates a lot of filth wherever they go.

[arvind1982]

Why aren't they making any efforts to improve Depot infrastructure within the city first,which are completely in shambles.Once stepped inside the CTC Tollygunge depot make me feel like i m in the ruins of Indus Valley Civilization.[/QUOTE]

Tolly tram depot is a utter waste of land.

these cosmetic changes done now is to hoodwink us. madan told long ago that he was going to remove the babughat encroachments for riverfront project. All his announcements are all washed down like a bottle of alcohol!

[studdmanster]

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee along with artists enjoy ride on a Luxury Tourist Launch-'Matsakanya-Naba Ahalya' after its inauguration on river Ganges.


picture sharing

[pinaki4u31]

image hosted on flickr

Courtesy: Ekdin

[arvind1982]

why cant they renovate the launch ghats and introduce some decent looking steamers and ferries for daily travelers.. it will also boost river transport and bring more revenue instead of such ornamental luxury boats......

[mountaincloud]

Originally Posted by arvind1982

why cant they renovate the launch ghats and introduce some decent looking steamers and ferries for daily travelers.. it will also boost river transport and bring more revenue instead of such ornamental luxury boats......

because on a scale of ease-difficulty (0 to 100), an ornamental luxury boat scores 10. The other project will have a score of 90 or more. also, these kind of initiatives have the additional benefit of photo-ops. not a difficult decision.

anyway, something is better than nothing.

[roy2010]

The design looks like the boat of the great merchant 'Chand Sowdagar'.

[diptadeepdas]

Saalaa aar design pelo na????? puro jatra party er nouka to???

[Jocg]

Originally Posted by diptadeepdas

Saalaa aar design pelo na????? puro jatra party er nouka to???

Chhoto balae aar kothau jawar jaega chhilo na shudu jatra dekhte jetis.

[suproteek]

Iconic Vespa inaugurates dealership in Kolkata

[IMG][/IMG]
In line with its ambitious plans to strengthen the Indian footprint, Piaggio brings the iconic Vespa into the eastern region with the launch of a new dealership in Kolkata on may 16.

Speed Auto Service Pvt Ltd (VIP road) will be the exclusive dealership of Vespa in Kolkata.

Well-equipped to support owners' needs, these dealerships will offer complete solutions from body work tools, spare parts, servicing, consulting et al.

On the occasion, Ravi Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (India) said, "Vespa has been triumphant in meeting the aspirational needs of the fashion, style and brand conscious individuals, further establishing its strong brand identity. In a year's time, this timeless brand has been successful in winning hearts and turning heads. We are proud of the fact that the original Vespa has set industry benchmarks, and created an all new luxury scooter segment in India. It is a highly gratifying feeling and has been a wonderful journey until now."

"We are confident of expanding our reach in East India and look forward to Kolkata welcoming us with open arms. Speed Auto Service Pvt. Ltd.; a sought after brand name in the two-wheeler market is not only well-equipped, they are aligned with our vision - Vespa' India chapter success. They will incorporate Piaggio's global best practices and processes, ensuring a superior sales and service experience for our valued customers," he added.

One of the most famous world icons of Italian style, brand Vespa hopes to make available its fine products and services to potential clientele at this showroom along with others in the future.

Commenting on the launch, dealers from Speed Auto Service Pvt Ltd said, "We are extremely glad to be associated with a brand like Vespa and be the one's responsible behind heralding in the fashionable icon into Kolkata. We look forward to strengthening Vespa's Indian journey with its entry into East India."

True to its inherent style, the Vespa showroom will encompass state of the art international facilities, with a special Vespa wall highlighting the heritage of the iconic brand.

[diptadeepdas]

Originally Posted by Jocg

Chhoto balae aar kothau jawar jaega chhilo na shudu jatra dekhte jetis.

We designers used to call this kind of product "jatra" in college.. hope students call them too now... Aar banglaar baaire jatra hoi na re... tai dekhar shujog hoi ni..

[AbhishekDatta]

Get ready for a swanky fleet of cool taxis
Subhro Niyogi, TNN | May 18, 2013, 02.14 AM IST

KOLKATA: Finally, an option to hail a sedan and travel in comfort. Nearly a decade after nearly all major metros dumped the rickety Ambassador and switched to smarter cabs, commuters in Kolkata are on the cusp of an experiential change with the imminent introduction of Dzire Tour from the Maruti Suzuki stable as AC as well as non-AC taxis.

The Logan from Mahindra & Mahindra, which is popular in the radio taxi segment in other markets, is also in the reckoning with a stripped-down version of the Verito along with Toyota Etios.

If the proposal goes through, passengers will have the choice of opting for a non-AC or an AC ride as all passenger car manufacturers other than Hindustan Motors have only AC vehicles on offer.

HM, which has for years monopolized the taxi segment in Kolkata with its Ambassador, seems to have finally given up as it has been unable to introduce a 1.5-litre BS IV compliant diesel Amby more than three years after the norms came into force in Kolkata and 12 other major Indian cities.

Transport minister Madan Mitra on Friday met senior representatives of Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Nissan and Toyota at Writers' Buildings to discuss the possibility of introducing new-generation sedans as taxis. Hindustan Motors representatives, who were also present, were told in no uncertain terms that sale of non-BS III vehicles would not be allowed.

"A city's public transport system portrays its image. For decades, Kolkata has been stuck in a time warp with the 40,000-42,000 cabs remaining unchanged. The scene is very different in other cities. It's time we changed too," Mitra told TOI.

According to him, the switch to more comfortable cabs will not only alter the perception about the city among visitors, it will also bring about a deeper change in the appearance and behavior of cab drivers.

"Driving a car that is difficult to maneuver and offers no driving comfort takes a toll on cabbies. Such is the level of discomfort that many shed their shirt and drive bare-bodied. Most drivers become irritable - some smoke bidi while driving and most acquire the habit of refusing passengers. We want this culture to change. And it will if the drivers feel happy behind the wheel," Mitra added.

For starters, Maruti, Mahindra and others will compete for 4,000 taxis that need to be replaced because they are over 15-years-old. While the government earlier issued separate permits for AC and non-AC taxis, there is a proposal to obliterate the classification and just announce the fare difference so that passengers who avail of AC can pay for it. Those who'll opt for AC taxis will have to pay 25% more as fare.

"At present, there are only 100 AC taxis against 42,000 non-AC cabs. For a person who wants to travel in AC comfort, the wait is endless. We want that to change. There should be plenty of AC cabs around," the minister said, adding that at least 50% of the new taxis would be AC.

At present, only three models are allowed to ply as taxis: HM Ambassador, Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R (LPG) and Tata Indigo. All of them, except a few dozen Indigo and one Wagon-R, are Ambys. "We are planning to revise the order so that other car manufacturers get a chance to offer their vehicles as taxis," said transport secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay.

Biman Guha of Bengal taxi association and Tarak Nath Barik of Calcutta taxi association welcomed the move. "We want HM's monopoly to end. The government did allow HM to sell BS III taxis till May 27 but it has made it clear that beyond that date, only BS IV taxis will be allowed. We also want to try out other vehicles. If they can ply in other cities, why not in Kolkata?" said Guha.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/20114357.cms

[Suncity]

"Driving a car that is difficult to maneuver and offers no driving comfort takes a toll on cabbies. Such is the level of discomfort that many shed their shirt and drive bare-bodied. Most drivers become irritable - some smoke bidi while driving and most acquire the habit of refusing passengers. We want this culture to change. And it will if the drivers feel happy behind the wheel," Mitra added.

I hope no Ambassador Banchao Committee comes up.

[Jocg]

Originally Posted by diptadeepdas

Aar banglaar baaire jatra hoi na re... tai dekhar shujog hoi ni..

Great News!!!!, Banglar baire jatra hoe na. Jatra party wala onno jaegae shudu barate jae.

[arvind1982]

driving the amby and discomfort is high.......

but the two biggest advantages of amby: one... anek mota lok thakle o jaiga thake boshte ashobidha nei aar anek luggage thakle o no problem....

tobe damn sure madan eta maal kheye announce koreche. aaj obdi oi bus gulo ek duto chhada dekha nei.....toyota r taxi chalabe!!!

[vaidya]

Originally Posted by arvind1982

driving the amby and discomfort is high.......

but the two biggest advantages of amby: one... anek mota lok thakle o jaiga thake boshte ashobidha nei aar anek luggage thakle o no problem....

tobe damn sure madan eta maal kheye announce koreche. aaj obdi oi bus gulo ek duto chhada dekha nei.....toyota r taxi chalabe!!!

and also i doubt how many taxi drivers will prefer and can afford driving this new age fleet of taxis since till now wagon R and Tata indigo taxis have been a flop.