Kolkata’s Iconic Yellow Ambassador Taxis To Make Comeback As CNG Vehicles

The iconic yellow taxis of Kolkata are getting a green makeover as 150 environmentally friendly CNG vehicles prepare to join the city's transport fleet. The initiative, formalised through a memorandum of understanding at the Bengal Global Business Summit, aims to preserve the city's taxi heritage whilst embracing modern, sustainable technology.

This move comes at a crucial time, as transport department sources revealed that approximately 1,500 traditional metered yellow taxis will be retired by the end of 2025, following a 2008 Calcutta High Court order barring commercial vehicles older than 15 years from city roads. The current fleet of 4,500 Ambassador yellow taxis is expected to decrease to 3,000 by 2026.

The new taxis will maintain the classic yellow colour scheme with blue borders and will be accessible through the government's Yatri Sathi mobile application. The operator has also indicated plans for gradual fleet expansion in the coming months.

Transport Secretary Saumitra Mohan announced that this initiative is part of a broader transport modernisation plan, with four memorandum of understanding worth ₹1,575 crore were signed at the summit. The comprehensive plan also includes the introduction of women-only 'pink taxis', an electric bike rental service, and cruise tourism development.

The initiative specifically targets yellow taxi drivers whose vehicles are approaching retirement, offering them an opportunity to transition to modern, eco-friendly vehicles while maintaining their livelihood. This approach aims to balance environmental concerns with the preservation of Kolkata's traditional taxi service, whilst meeting contemporary commuter expectations at competitive rates.