Delhi government to bring all autos, taxis under PoochO app, says Transport Minister

Delhi government has decided to bring all autorickshaws and taxis under one app facilitating commuters to book them through smartphones during a 15-day trial of odd-even scheme starting January 1. Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that PoochO app will be launched on December 22, a day when ‘Car-Free Day’ will be organised on Vikas Marg in East Delhi’s Lakshmi Nagar area. On Friday, Rai held a meeting with representatives of city’s auto and taxi unions to roll out a plan so that people won’t have to face problems in hiring taxis and autorickshaws from January 1 to 15. There are around 80,000 autorickshaws and 30,000 taxis plying in the national capital. After the launch of PoochO app, commuters will be able to book autos and taxis using their smartphones on the lines of app-based private taxi service providers. “Under PoochO app, we will launch two separate Apps, one for passengers and another one for drivers. Government will run an awareness campaign for drivers of taxis and autos to register themselves before December 22. They can send their details on mobile number 9958694311 for their registration,” Rai told a press conference in New Delhi. The Minister said that city’s autos and taxis will come under PoochO app which can be downloaded on phones from Google Play store and thereafter, people will have to ensure GPS of their phone is on, and can find out the nearest auto to them through maps. In July last year, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had launched PoochO app which allows people to access the DIMTS database of registered drivers’ mobile numbers and call them up to book a ride. The Minister said that PoochO app will only work on those auto and taxis having Global Positioning System (GPS), adding that there are around 75 percent of autorickshaws which are GPS-enabled. “In today’s meeting, we have also asked auto and taxi drivers to be in queue at ‘Halt & Go’ stands so that traffic could not be disturbed on roads,” he said. According to the Minister, government will organise Car-Free Day on Vikas Marg in Lakshmi Nagar area of East Delhi. A cycle rally will also be held that day. Delhi government yesterday decided to add an additional fleet of 6,000 buses to the capital’s roads to enhance public transport besides increasing frequency of metro trains and allowing more autos on the roads. AAP government has decided to strictly implement National Green Tribunal’s order to slap a fine of Rs. 5,000 against officials concerned including park in-charges if burning of leaves and garbage was detected in their areas. PTI