It may or may not be the end of the road for Delhi's autowallahs, but most of them fear that they will have to pay - and pay big. For driving 'polluting, uncomfortable' autos, and more for being an 'unruly' lot out to 'harass passengers'.

"We are ready to abide by any law they throw at us - fitness checks, maximum capacity, permits. But is the government going to hurl the dalals at the gates of pollution-check centres out?," asks Brij Shyam Mishra, a 48-year-old auto rickshaw driver and a father of four.

Sheila Dixit's plans for phase-out of autos could mean a rough ride ahead for Mishra and other auto-drivers. "I think further harassment by the police is a given. Even if the government dosn't go ahead with the plan, the police will be waiting at the corner, to haul us up and make a quick buck," he says.

"I may not be able to buy the paper I am holding if my auto goes," Mishra says. He is clutching a copy of the local daily - a front-page report told him about the proposed phase-out.

"It looks like they (the government) are out to remove the poor instead of poverty. They wanted us to get these smart cards. And just months later, they want us to go," he says, "The people who drive autos here in Delhi come from Bihar, Haryana, uttar Pradesh. This government is like that Thackeray guy from Bombay, wanting to drive us out."

What about those auto-drivers who refuse to budge without the passenger agreeing to pay Rs 15/20 more than the meter-fare? "The unit meter-charge has not been revised in the last two years. In the last six months, prices of almost everything have doubled. Not that it justifies the over-charging, but a revision of meter rate is long due," he rationalises.

Asked if he is going to protest the move, he says that he is too wearied to take up any cause except for his survival. "I have two daughters back at the village, studying. If I have to, I'll pull them out and bring them to work here in Delhi, but I am not going back like the government wants me to. That is my protest," he says as he reads the report one more time, probably trying to wish away all that is written.

"For every two auto-drivers who overcharge you, you will get two more who will turn the meter on as you seat - even without your asking," claims Kailash Chowdhry, auto-rickshaw driver and activist-in-the-making. His is amongst the many voices, fast growing from rumble to thunder, against the proposed phasing-out of autorickshaws from Delhi.

"I did everything by the book - smart-card, papers, charging by meter - all of it. Now, I'm being told that I am unruly and my auto pollutes and so I need to get off the streets? CNG was their idea, not mine - and now it pollutes?," says a defiant Chowdhry.

"We will protest. The unions will decide how, but we'll protest," he says.

Bought on a loan, the auto is Chowdhry's only source of income.

Govt is taking a very wrong step

Shivani Chaurvedi reports:

Delhi's auto rickshaw drivers are worried. They are upset with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's announcement in the assembly on Wednesday that their vehicles will have to go and in its place eco-friendly battery operated autos will be put to use.

“The government is taking a wrong step. If battery-operated auto rickshaws are used as the alternative, how will we earn our livelihood and how much we will save? These (battery-operated) autos would be quite expensive... We have to give rent to the (vehicle) owner accordingly,” said Bittu Kumar, who kept  cursing the state government as he drove me from the India Habitat Centre to Pragati Maidan Metro station.

“Do take my snaps and publish them in your magazine. In this matter, I totally oppose the government,” he added in an angry tone.

As we reached the destination, two more auto drivers joined in. Sandeep Kumar and Ram Babu also raised their voices against the proposed move.

But Hausla Prasad was sure that the government's plan would never be successful in a country like ours. He felt the government should come up with steps that would benefit both the people and the auto rickshaw drivers.

The autowalas are also worried on one more count: in the current scenario, they are somehow able to adjust more passengers in their autos but in the battery-operated rickshaws this adjustment would not be possible as those vehicles will be more sophisticated and their carrying capacity would also not be much.