Mumbai: kaali peeli- Padmini taxis' iconic journey to end in June 2020

iconic 'Kaali Peeli' Pmini taxis, which reflected a link with Mumbai's past and were also portrayed in several Bollywood movies, will become a part of history as y will t be seen on ros after June 2020. Pmini cabs remind of old memories related and give a sense of stalgia. This step will certainly mark end of an era.

se cabs have a strong connect with Mumbaikars' heart as se were lifelines of city. Fondly kwn as "kaali peeli" or "Fiat", se cabs display originality of old Mumbai. However, in midst of various cab services and vehicle options available in India w, number of Premier Pmini's has gone down drastically over years and so it's production. 

M L Quros, leer of Mumbai Taximens Union said, " Pminis have dominated streets since 1960s. But w re are hardly 50 to 60 cabs on streets of Mumbai. One of important reasons for phasing out of se taxis is lack of spare parts, tyres and repairing tools. manufacturer has shut down after producing last batch sometime in late 1990s."

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Referring to lifecycle of Pmini he said that since RTO rules stated that maximum life of a taxi can be 20 years, re is chance of an extension for se cabs. "In July 2005 when re were severe floods in Mumbai, modern-day cars h problems but Pmini taxis were repaired within 24 hours and y were back on streets to serve Mumbaikars. t to talks of mechanics, cabbie himself repaired cab," he ded. Quros also requested state government to put Pmini in a museum. 

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Phase-out to be completed by June 2020 

production of se taxis was stopped in year 2000, and re are less than 50 of m remaining in city. y'll stop plying on Mumbai ros altoger by June 2020. car debuted as Fiat 1100 Delight in 1964. In 1965, its name was changed to Premier President, and in 1974 it became Premier Pmini — named after legendary Indian queen. For next 30 years, it dominated ros. se black-and-yellow cabs have featured in countless Bollywood movies. Around 65,000 Pminis plied Mumbai at ir peak in mid-1990s but y grually me ir way out in favour of newer, more environmentally-friendly vehicles. 

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Mumbai opted for Pmini over Ambassor

first Pmini's rolled off production lines at Premier Automobiles Limited factory in Mumbai, in 1964, under a licensing agreement with famous Italian car manufacturer Fiat. Mumbai authorities in 1960s opted for Pmini over bulkier Hindustan Motors Ambassor - taxi of choice in Delhi and Kolkata, which was only or car widely available in India at time -- and ir numbers increased exponentially during ‘70s and ‘80s.

Many netizens were stalgic as well as shocked when y re about news. Commenting on Amul's tweet, one user commented, "heartwarming", while or seemed shocked and wrote, "Whaaa? more kaali peelis w?!" and third commented that thing can replace se taxis. 

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(with ANI inputs)