kolkata the first batch of tata indigo yellow taxis have arrived in kolkata to compete with the ubiquitous ambassador which has enjoyed a monopoly for nearly five decadesthe nonac indigo priced rs 307 lakh exshowroom and rs 328 lakh on road will cost around rs 33000 more than a new ambassador cab while operators still swear by the amby tata motors is banking on its ability to deliver as many vehicles as required at the shortest possible time to penetrate the marketaround 6000 cabs have been driven off the road due to the 15year age barrier imposed on commercial vehicles that ply in kolkata and its immediate suburbs but with capacity constraints at the hindustan motors plant in uttarpara which manufactures and sells around 1000012000 ambassadors in the entire year tata motors is keen to step in with its prompt delivery promise to woo a section of taxi ownersthe transport department had earlier issued notification for permitting 1000 each of diesel indigo and wagonr duo petrol and lpg both auto companies are offering rs 60000 for replacement of old cabs and rs 20000 in subsidywe have been allotted 1000 vehicles for replacement of existing taxis and we are trying to maximize the opportunity once we achieve a decent figure momentum will pick up that will drive sales thereafter tata motors regional manager passenger car business unit gautam mukherjee saidtest cabs have reached the three tata motors dealerships lexus motors kb motors and rd motors dealers binod agarwal anil bagaria and pradeep jain confirmed that their teams were in advanced stage of negotiation with taxi owners and financers to seal dealswe are pitching with taxi associations to convince them that investing the additional amount is worthwhile as the indigo is more fuel efficient and comfortable both for drivers and passengers we have confirmed proposals for a dozen cabs bagaria saidjain said talks were on with financers like uco bank ubi rajgharia finance and todi investments to chalk out lucrative equated monthly instalments if the response is good we will consider allowing more indigo vehicles said a transport department officialfunctionaries of bengal taxi association and calcutta taxi association have welcomed the entry of indigo cabs in the sector but want lpg maruti omni and diesel indica to be allowed too let us have more options said calcutta taxi association secretary tarak nath bari