- By Divanshi Sharma
- Tue, 31 Oct 2023 04:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mumbai recently bid farewell to its classic red double-decker buses that were used as a common means of public transport in the city. Unfortunately, Mumbaikars are again left with a heavy heart as the iconic ‘Kaali-Peeli’ taxis that were an integral part of the city’s identity are also being discontinued post-October 31, 2023. The Premier Padmini taxis popularly known as ‘Kaali-Peeli’ have been a crucial part of Mumbai’s public transport system for the past six decades. The last Premier Padmini taxi sold in Mumbai was registered in October 2003 implying that all ‘Kaali-Peeli’ taxis that were being run in the city are now over 20 years old and will no longer be allowed to operate as the state government follows a 20-year limit for taxis.
Premier Padmini cabs were not just a mode of daily commute, but also had a Bollywood connection featuring in several movies, including ‘Taxi No. 9211’, ‘Khaali-Peeli’, and ‘Aa Ab Laut Chale’.
All About Kaali-Peeli Taxi
In 1964, Premier Automobile Limited (PAL) introduced the ‘Kaali-Peeli’ taxis in Mumbai which were based on the 'Fiat-1100 Delight' model. In the 1970s, PAL rebranded these taxis to ‘Premier President’ and then ultimately to ‘Premier Padmini’, inspired by the Padmini Queen of the Mewar Kingdom in India. The Fiat-110 Delight was equipped with a 1200-cc engine and a steering-mounted gear selector.
"Mumbai ki shaan," says driver
"Yeh Mumbai ki shaan hai aur hamari jaan hai (it is the pride of Mumbai and life of mine)," PTI quoted Abdul Kareem Karsekar, who owns the last registered Premier Padmini taxi of Mumbai, bearing registration number MH-01-JA-2556. Karsekar said it is difficult to maintain the vehicle due to the unavailability of spare parts, but he still wants to preserve his cab at his own expense, if the government permits.
"Once I was in Dadar near Babubhai Bhavanji. A well-dressed individual in a high-end car hailed my cab, directing his driver to follow us. When I inquired why he did so, he said he wanted to savour the experience of this iconic ride, which he might not get in future," said Karsekar, as quoted by PTI.
Raees Ahmed, another taxi driver, whose Premier Padmini recently got age-barred, said he drove the model for 15 years and only because of it could he run his house and complete the education of his brothers and now his kids.
How do they get Black and Yellow colour?
Bharat Gothoskar, a city chronicler and founder of the KHAKI Heritage Foundation, said Mumbai’s taxis are yellow and black in colour due to VB Gandhi, a freedom fighter who later became an MP. Gandhi had recommended to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru that the upper part of the cabs should be painted yellow so that they can be spotted from a distance and the lower part black to hide any stains.
"Just after independence, there were many car models in India but later it was restricted to just two – Premier Padmini and Ambassador. Probably the tendency of Mumbaikars is to optimise space and hence the taxi drivers in the city would have preferred the Padmini as the kaali-peeli," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)