A film by Prabodh and Centre for Public Policy Research under the banner of Liberal Youth South Asia, Directed by Saumitra Rath

About the film

The Third Wheel is a new documentary film on economic freedom for the auto-rickshaws (tuk tuk) in Delhi produced by members of EFN Asia, with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (India Office).

Auto rickshaws are a common sight in most Indian cities. Known as the transporter for the lower and middle class, they are an integral part of the transportation system of the country. However, one wonders why there has been little improvement in their design or why they seem to be guilty of overcharging their customers and flouting the laws. In India, as is the case with most professions, the auto-rickshaw is governed by a licensing system which has produced the unintended consequences, mainly being, financial mafia.

The film explores this omnipresent profession and tries to go beneath the surface to find out what is really gone. And in doing so, it connects even those stakeholders who are usually ideologically opposed on most issues.

In January 2010, Delhi's Environment Pollution Control Authority has recommended to the Supreme Court to remove the cap on number of licenses given to auto rickshaws for the same reasons as cited in the documentary-the emergence of the auto mafia.

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View the film

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Or catch a short version of the film on YouTube