It is a different matter though, when you are at the receiving end of Nanomania. I cursed my stupidity on Friday evening for travelling via Pragati Maidan en route to Connaught Place. While the media and the visitors to the Auto Expo in Pragati Maidan raved about the Nano (including the visiting Greek Prime Minister), there were thousands stuck in the crossfire, with cars waiting from Pragati Maidan to Connaught Place.
Add to this cacophony, a few thousand nanos replacing the horde of scooters and bikes, with the size of the roads remaining constant.
Autorickshaws too may go the Nano way. After all, a new autorickshaw costs around 1.2 lakh rupees. In terms of fuel efficiency, Nano gives around 20 km per litre. Not suprisingly, autorickshaw owners in Mumbai are seeking permits allowing the use of the Nano for public transport. A more comfortable ride is in store, only that you might have to spend longer time on the road.
The roads may get choked with Nanos, but we have no business pointing fingers at the Tata Group. The Nano is undoubtedly the stuff of dreams, appealing not just to the middle-class metro Indian but also catering to the aspirations of the small town Indian. With better infrastructure, Rata Tata's small car could well reach out to rural areas too.
Dr R K Pachauri of Nobel Peace Prize fame has suggested that the Tatas should better concentrate on investing in public transport.
Quoting Ratan Tata, “I agree that India lacks public transport but you are at the wrong press conference. We are not responsible for public transport.” He's right - that's the government's domain. The cities are crying out for better public transport, be it metro or buses. The metro has covered considerable ground in Delhi, and by 2010 most of Delhi (not to forget Noida and Gurgaon) will be accessible through the metro. One hopes that buses will also keep pace, with the rickety and menacing bluelines given a well-deserved burial.
Incidentally, the new sleek low-floor buses plying on Delhi roads are made by Tata. Buses which could well be the harbingers of comfortable travel.
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