In 2008, the Calcutta High Court ordered that commercial vehicles older than 15 vehicles would not be allowed to ply in the city, the official said. There are around 4,500 Ambassador metered yellow taxis, which will come down to 3,000 by the end of 2026, the official said.

“From 25,000 in 2019-20, the number of yellow taxis witnessed a steady dip… It went down to 8,500 in 2023… By next April the number is further set to come down,” INTUC state president and taxi wing leader Pramod Pandey told PTI.

Taxi unions urged the transport department for a viable revival package for the yellow taxis, which are an integral part of Kolkata’s heritage. Taxi drivers union said if the authorities withdraw the age limit of 15 years, these taxis can run another five years with proper maintenance and change in engine.

“The transport department has not revised the fares of yellow metered taxis since 2016…,” Pandey said. He said around 10,000 people — taxi drivers, family members and others — will soon send an open letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighting the issue.

“From Bollywood filmmakers to Kolkata’s icons like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen everyone had projected yellow taxis in their works… If the state don’t do anything to save yellow taxi a part of Kolkata’s history will go forever,” he said.

The senior transport official said the government was in favour of keeping the metred taxi fleet with BS 6 complaint new models and will facilitate bank loans to the owners.

“There is no way we can keep the old Ambassador models after they attain the age of 15 years. We have to abide by the 2008 Calcutta High Court order about commercial vehicles not being allowed to ply in the city after 15 years. Hence we have to follow the alternative ways for the interest of every stakeholder,” the transport department official said.