The End of Kolkata’s Iconic Yellow Taxis Hindustan Ambassadors to Be Retired
For decades, the iconic yellow Hindustan Ambassador taxis have roamed Kolkata’s streets, symbolising both the city’s past and its unique charm. However, this emblem of Kolkata’s heritage is slowly disappearing. Due to stricter emissions standards aimed at combating the city’s severe pollution, these once-sturdy vehicles are being phased out. Within the next three years, the last of these yellow taxis will be retired, marking the end of an era for the city.
The Hindustan Ambassador, often simply known as the “Amby,” has been a key part of Kolkata’s identity for decades. A throwback to the 1950s, the Ambassador was a product of Hindustan Motors, a Kolkata-based company. It was initially modelled after a British Morris car and quickly became the backbone of India’s taxi service, particularly in cities like Kolkata, where its design and sturdy build suited the city’s potholed roads. “I love my car like my son,” said Kailash Sahani, a Kolkata taxi driver who has been behind the wheel of an Ambassador for 40 years. For him, the car represents more than just a means of transport; it’s part of his life. “It’s a simple car – no electronics, no frills,” he adds, reflecting on the enduring appeal of the Ambassador. Despite its shortcomings – like its noisy engine and outdated features – it has become deeply embedded in the culture of Kolkata.
The Bengali people have long cherished the Ambassador, and for many, the yellow taxis are synonymous with the city’s identity. At their peak, more than 7,000 of these vehicles operated across Kolkata. But as environmental standards became more stringent, only around 2,500 Ambassador taxis were still on the roads at the start of 2025, with that number set to shrink further. According to Bengal Taxi Association figures, another 1,000 will be retired this year, and by 2027, the last of the iconic yellow taxis will be forced off the streets. The decline of the Ambassador is linked to a court ruling requiring Kolkata’s taxis to meet modern emissions standards, which the Ambassador, with its outdated engine and design, cannot comply with. “The car is strong, parts are cheap, and if it breaks down, it’s easy to find a mechanic,” said Sanjeeb Roy of the Bengal Taxi Association. But, he added, the phase-out represents “all that’s wrong with India’s changing economy.”
While the Ambassador was once an undeniable symbol of India’s post-independence era, its shortcomings became apparent as the country modernised. Its production was halted in 2014 after demand slumped, and market reforms in the 1980s led to the rise of more fuel-efficient and comfortable vehicles. Despite this, Kolkata’s love affair with the “Amby” persisted, and it continued to dominate the city’s streets long after it was phased out elsewhere in India. But Kolkata, once the capital of British India and the second-largest city in the empire, is itself changing. Once home to magnificent colonial architecture and intellectual grandeur, the city has seen its prominence diminish, overtaken by cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Many young people have left Kolkata in search of better opportunities, and this demographic shift is reflected in the city’s infrastructure and lifestyle changes.
For some, the departure of the yellow taxi marks the end of an era. Retired schoolteacher Utpal Basu, 75, who has seen the city evolve over decades, mused: “Old cars go, new ones come. But it will break my heart when the city loses another icon.” The disappearance of Kolkata’s beloved Ambassador taxis represents more than just the retirement of old vehicles; it signals a shift in the city’s identity, a fading connection to a time when the city was at the forefront of India’s cultural and political life. For many, it is a bittersweet farewell to an irreplaceable piece of Kolkata’s past. As the city continues to modernise, these iconic yellow taxis will be replaced by newer, greener vehicles. The loss of the Ambassador, however, will remain a poignant symbol of Kolkata’s storied history, cherished by those who remember it as an integral part of their daily lives.
