Yatri Sathi, other app-cab platforms ease commute in Asansol, Durgapur
Times of India | 9 January 2025
12 Kolkata/Durgapur: Multiple app-cab aggregators have started operations in the twin cities of Durgapur and Asansol, offering much-needed relief to residents who were dependent on autos, totos, a handful of buses, and car rental companies charging exorbitant rates. Since Aug, multiple operators, like Yatri Sathi, Uber, and Ola, began operations there with 150-odd cabs. Now, the number has increased to around 500.
"We had to call auto drivers and private car operators well in advance if we needed to go somewhere. But with the arrival of the app cabs in our city, life has become smoother," said Rana Banerjee, a resident of Benachiti in Durgapur.
Sourav Chattopadhyay from Kumarpur in Asansol said because of the lack of public transport, most people living in the twin cities had to buy their own transport.
Speaking to TOI, Ananda Roy, DCP traffic, Asansol-Durgapur police commissionerate, said cops are managing booths at Andal airport, Asansol railway station, and Durgapur railway station, where they help passengers book cabs, autos, and bike taxis.
"There is huge competition in the app cab market in Kolkata. Hence, once a new market opened up, many from the city started heading to Asansol and Durgapur," said Indranil Banerjee, general secretary of West Bengal Online Cab Operators Guild.