News / Author / Kailash Korde

Kailash Korde

Kailash works with the political team and has been covering transport beat for over a decade. He is interested in travel and music.

Articles by Kailash Korde

Black-and-yellow taxis far behind in the race against app-based cabs in south Mumbai

Number drops to 44,566 in 2018-19 from 57,810 in 2016-17; tourist taxis rise to 74,911 in 2018-19, from 60,752 in 2017

Decades ago, the city had 63,000 black-and-yellow taxis.(HT FILE)

cities

Published on Jul 01, 2019 12:44 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

CNG hiked to ₹51.99/kg in Mumbai, piped gas to ₹31.79/scm

The Mahanagar Gas Limited has announced to hike the base price of compressed natural gas (CNG) by 32 paise and piped natural gas (PNG) by 23 paise from July 1

There are around 44,500 taxis which ply on CNG.(HT File)

cities

Updated on Jul 02, 2019 08:10 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Mumbaiites, your BEST commute is set to get cheaper as panel clears proposal to reduce fares

The proposal will now be sent to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is likely to take a decision on June 27, and it will later be forwarded to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) for final approval.

(From left) Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and Shiv Sena leader Anil Patankar at the BEST headquarters on Tuesday.(Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 27, 2019 09:00 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Autos and taxis older than 15 years may go off roads

Despite app-based taxis falling under the Maharashtra City Taxi Rules 2017, which sets their age limit at 20 years, they are currently plying on All India Tourist Permit, which has the age bar of nine years.

This comes after a four-member state-appointed Khatua panel, headed by retired IAS officer B C Khatua, in its October 2017 report recommended lowering the age limit of taxis and autorickshaws.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 23, 2019 01:29 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

‘Happy hour scheme’: Taxi union and consumer forum meeting turns bitter

The state then asked both the parties to submit their written submissions by Monday.

“We are already facing competition from app-based cabs and in the future, more Metro lines will come up. Even BEST has proposed fare cut, which will adversely affect our business,” said Quadros.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Jun 22, 2019 01:51 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

BEST fare revision proposed, cheaper commute on cards

The proposal will be tabled before the BEST committee on Friday, said officials. It will then be sent to the regional transport authority for a final nod.

Civic chief Praveen Pardeshi had set several preconditions, including reduction of bus fares, in exchange for giving the undertaking <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>100crore as financial aid per month.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 21, 2019 04:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Maharashtra government likely to accept panel report; taxi, auto fares may rise

Minimum fare for taxis, autos may rise to at least ₹26, ₹20; long-distance rides may get cheaper. Surge-pricing for app-based cabs may be set at 3 times the fare of regular cabs.

The four-member panel, headed by retired IAS officer BC Khatua, was formed to review the report submitted by the Hakim Panel, which in turn was formed in 2012.(Hindustan Times)

cities

Updated on Jun 20, 2019 08:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Signal snag on CR leads to delays, cancellations of Mumbai suburban railway services

CR suburban services were thrown out of gear during the rush hour on Monday morning, leaving officer-goers irked and were affected till the afternoon.

The cancellations led to overcrowding on platforms, said passengers.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 18, 2019 08:53 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde

Mumbai’s first 250-m test track functional at Tardeo RTO

Around 4 lakh commercial vehicles registered at the Tardeo RTO, will undergo testing at the new track

The test track at Tardeo is already being used for brake tests.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 17, 2019 12:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

First showers wash away Railways’ claims in Mumbai, service disruptions galore

While all 3 railway services were disrupted owing to pre-monsoon showers, commuters were not informed via social media or public-announcement systems

People deal with rain at Kandivali in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.((Photo by Satyabrata Tripathy/Hindustan Times))

cities

Updated on Jun 12, 2019 05:23 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

BEST plans dedicated bus lanes on high-frequency routes

In 2015, BEST had proposed dedicated bus lanes at several stretches in Mumbai but ended up implementing the plan only at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Mahalaxmi railway station-Worli Naka stretch

Experts have long pressed for dedicated bus lanes owing to growing congestion caused by private vehicles and rising infrastructure work on the city’s roads.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 12, 2019 12:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Mumbai locals to get 2 new car sheds at Vangaon, Karjat

A senior official of MRVC said they have identified the site for the car sheds at Vangaon and Karjat. “We require over 30 hectares of land, most of which is barren.

Under MUTP-3 and MUTP-3A, Mumbai is also set to get 47 and 210 new air-conditioned (AC) locals respectively.(Ragul Krishnan/ HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Jun 10, 2019 04:11 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Mumbai’s suburban train network to get 10 more AC trains by March 2020

Railways will begin trial runs for semi-high speed mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) trains from next week

The AC locals will be split between CR and WR(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 06, 2019 12:48 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Government may fix upper age bar for drivers of commercial vehicles

The decision is likely to trigger a controversy as currently, there is no upper age limit for driving vehicles or getting a driving licence in the country. (The minimum age to secure a licence is 18).

On an average, more than 35,000 road accidents occur in Maharashtra every year, killing more than 13,000 people and injuring around 35,000.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 03, 2019 03:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Vile Parle, Chandivli helped BJP’s Poonam Mahajan win Mumbai North Central

However, Mahajan got thin leads in the Shiv Sena-represented areas such as Kurla, Kalina and Bandra (East).

Mahajan defeated Dutt by a total margin of 1,30,005 votes.(Twitter/Poonam Mahajan)

cities

Updated on May 25, 2019 01:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Poonam Mahajan romps to victory against Priya Dutt in Mumbai North Central

The contest between the two was expected to be tough but it turned out to be an easy win for Mahajan though her winning margin was lower compared to the 1.86 lakh votes she won in 2014.

Poonam Mahajan, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) sitting MP for Mumbai’s North Central constituency, defeated Congress candidate Priya Dutt by a margin of 1,30,005 votes.(Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

elections

Updated on May 24, 2019 08:32 AM IST

Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Fare play:New cab apps join the game

“Unlike Ola and Uber, there are neither hidden charges nor surge pricing,” said Durgesh Tiwari, founder of CEO Cabs, which launched in February.

Before Ola and Uber become popular from the end of 2014, black-and-yellow cabs were the only option for Mumbaiites if they wanted to avoid buses or trains.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on May 13, 2019 08:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Fare play:New cab apps join the game in Mumbai

More app-based cabs take on Ola-Uber, offer flat rates, free cancellations; experts say may create parking problem

Experts feel that the entry of new cab operators will worsen the parking problem in the city.(HT)

cities

Updated on May 13, 2019 01:08 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde

WR starts demolishing western arm of Delisle bridge in Mumbai

The demolition work started after the BMC razed 172 structures lining the western arm of the bridge in Lower Parel.

Workers demolish a part of the western arm of Delisle bridge in Lower Parel on Saturday.(Bhushan Koyande/HT)

cities

Updated on May 12, 2019 01:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

High-security numberplates: State govt may ask you to get them fixed on your vehicles

The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) has recently sent a proposal in this regard to the state government about this for approval.

cities

Published on May 11, 2019 02:49 AM IST

Mumabi | ByKailash Korde

Double-decker BEST bus hits overhead bar in Mumbai; roof crushed

A spokesperson of the BEST said the bus was defective and two mechanics were transporting it to Kurla depot from Marol depot when the accident occurred around 1.05am.

In July 2018 too, a double-decker BEST bus had rammed into the same overhead bar in Vakola.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on May 10, 2019 12:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Mumbai records most road mishaps in Maharashtra; fatalities witness 20% dip

However, the city witnessed a 20% drop in road fatalities compared to the same period last year, revealed state-wide road accident data.

Of the total number of 9,096 accidents that occurred across the state in the first quarter of 2019, the highest number — 782 — took place on Mumbai’s roads, according to official figures.(Yogendra Kumar/HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on May 09, 2019 08:27 AM IST

Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Lok sabha elections 2019: Men-to-women turnout ratio better in city

It is 55.87 % and 54.67 % respectively in the city. The average men and women voter turnouts in the state stand at 62.57% and 58.84% respectively.

elections

Published on May 03, 2019 05:06 AM IST

Mumbai | BySurendra P Gangan and Kailash Korde

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Low turnout in Congress bastion of South Central may give Sena a high

Rahul Shewale, the sitting MP, is facing veteran Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad in this constituency, which spreads from Dadar to Anushakti Nagar.

Security personnel outside a relatively empty polling booth at Antop Hill warehouse complex.(Vijayanand Gupta/HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Apr 30, 2019 07:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Need 4,200 vehicles for regional transport: Collectors

As more than 2,000 black-and-yellow cabs will go off roads, passengers might face some difficulty getting cabs on Sunday, although there is a holiday on the polling day.

The suburban district collector has asked for 2,985 vehicles, including 1,466 taxis, 1,434 buses, and 85 trucks.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Apr 23, 2019 06:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

After HC nod, BEST to add 80 electric buses to its fleet

In wet lease model, a private operator pays for the driver and maintenance of the buses

Currently, BEST has six e-buses in its fleet.(Pratik Chorge/HT file photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 08, 2019 07:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

In one year, Mumbai sees 3 lakh new vehicles added to its roads

Compared to last year, 14,010 more vehicles were on the roads, which means the city witnessed vehicle growth of 4.9%

Experts said the rapid vehicle growth in the city reflected the lacunae in public transport systems and focus on car-centric infrastructure.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 08:13 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByKailash Korde, Mumbai

Ola, Uber cabs could be used to ferry poll staff on April 29

In a recent meeting, the district administration for the island city asked the regional transport office (RTO) to check the possibility of hiring app-based cabs.

In 2014, the district administration had hired 5,000 vehicles, including nearly 1,200 buses.(HT PHOTO)

elections

Updated on Apr 05, 2019 08:26 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Taxis, autos to pick up disabled voters; palkhis for the old in Mumbai

Of the 94,60,900 voters in Mumbai, 5,921 are differently abled. Of these, 2,662 voters are from the island city, while 3,259 are from the suburbs.

The EC may hire black-and-yellow cabs in the city limits, and autorickshaws in the suburbs of Mumbai on the voting day , April 29.(AFP)

elections

Updated on Apr 02, 2019 11:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

Got a smart card driving licence? Now, you won’t need an NOC for renewal

Meanwhile, those holding paperback licences will still have to get an NOC from the concerned RTOs for the processes, the transport commissioner’s office said.

Smart card driving licence holders will no longer need a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the regional transport office (RTO) to renew the licence, get copies made or change the address.(HT File Photo)

cities

Published on Apr 01, 2019 04:25 AM IST

Mumbai | ByKailash Korde

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Kailash Korde

Kailash works with the political team and has been covering transport beat for over a decade. He is interested in travel and music.

Number drops to 44,566 in 2018-19 from 57,810 in 2016-17; tourist taxis rise to 74,911 in 2018-19, from 60,752 in 2017

The Mahanagar Gas Limited has announced to hike the base price of compressed natural gas (CNG) by 32 paise and piped natural gas (PNG) by 23 paise from July 1

The proposal will now be sent to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is likely to take a decision on June 27, and it will later be forwarded to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) for final approval.

Despite app-based taxis falling under the Maharashtra City Taxi Rules 2017, which sets their age limit at 20 years, they are currently plying on All India Tourist Permit, which has the age bar of nine years.

The state then asked both the parties to submit their written submissions by Monday.

The proposal will be tabled before the BEST committee on Friday, said officials. It will then be sent to the regional transport authority for a final nod.

Minimum fare for taxis, autos may rise to at least ₹26, ₹20; long-distance rides may get cheaper. Surge-pricing for app-based cabs may be set at 3 times the fare of regular cabs.

CR suburban services were thrown out of gear during the rush hour on Monday morning, leaving officer-goers irked and were affected till the afternoon.

Around 4 lakh commercial vehicles registered at the Tardeo RTO, will undergo testing at the new track

While all 3 railway services were disrupted owing to pre-monsoon showers, commuters were not informed via social media or public-announcement systems

In 2015, BEST had proposed dedicated bus lanes at several stretches in Mumbai but ended up implementing the plan only at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Mahalaxmi railway station-Worli Naka stretch

A senior official of MRVC said they have identified the site for the car sheds at Vangaon and Karjat. “We require over 30 hectares of land, most of which is barren.

Railways will begin trial runs for semi-high speed mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) trains from next week

The decision is likely to trigger a controversy as currently, there is no upper age limit for driving vehicles or getting a driving licence in the country. (The minimum age to secure a licence is 18).

However, Mahajan got thin leads in the Shiv Sena-represented areas such as Kurla, Kalina and Bandra (East).

The contest between the two was expected to be tough but it turned out to be an easy win for Mahajan though her winning margin was lower compared to the 1.86 lakh votes she won in 2014.

“Unlike Ola and Uber, there are neither hidden charges nor surge pricing,” said Durgesh Tiwari, founder of CEO Cabs, which launched in February.

More app-based cabs take on Ola-Uber, offer flat rates, free cancellations; experts say may create parking problem

The demolition work started after the BMC razed 172 structures lining the western arm of the bridge in Lower Parel.

The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) has recently sent a proposal in this regard to the state government about this for approval.

A spokesperson of the BEST said the bus was defective and two mechanics were transporting it to Kurla depot from Marol depot when the accident occurred around 1.05am.

However, the city witnessed a 20% drop in road fatalities compared to the same period last year, revealed state-wide road accident data.

It is 55.87 % and 54.67 % respectively in the city. The average men and women voter turnouts in the state stand at 62.57% and 58.84% respectively.

Rahul Shewale, the sitting MP, is facing veteran Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad in this constituency, which spreads from Dadar to Anushakti Nagar.

As more than 2,000 black-and-yellow cabs will go off roads, passengers might face some difficulty getting cabs on Sunday, although there is a holiday on the polling day.

In wet lease model, a private operator pays for the driver and maintenance of the buses

Compared to last year, 14,010 more vehicles were on the roads, which means the city witnessed vehicle growth of 4.9%

In a recent meeting, the district administration for the island city asked the regional transport office (RTO) to check the possibility of hiring app-based cabs.

Of the 94,60,900 voters in Mumbai, 5,921 are differently abled. Of these, 2,662 voters are from the island city, while 3,259 are from the suburbs.

Meanwhile, those holding paperback licences will still have to get an NOC from the concerned RTOs for the processes, the transport commissioner’s office said.

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