Mexican Ambassador not allowed to park her autorickshaw at an event on public transport

Mexican Ambassador Melba Pria, who travels in a chauffeur-driven autorickshaw was not allowed to park her autorickshaw at the India Habitat Centre on Tuesday, where she had arrived to speak at an event on public transport.

Failing to recognise the blue diplomatic number plate and the fluttering Mexican flag on the vehicle, security personnel rushed to stop the autorickshaw as it entered the India Habitat Centre's premises.

The Mexican Ambassador was at the IHC to speak at an event on public transport. As the envoy's official vehicle was denied parking space, the organizers of the event intervened but the management of the IHC refused to grant permission.

General Manager (Projects and Facilities) at the IHC RK Aggarwal said he had no information about any such incident.

Amit Bhatt from World Resource Institute (India), the event organisers, said there is a perception that people coming to such venues (like the IHC) use cars and therefore there is no designated parking space for non-motorised transport.

Pria, who does not drive around in fancy sedans like her counterparts from other countries, often becomes the centre of attraction when she reaches her destination in her unusual official vehicle, now branded as the Mexico-India autorickshaw.

The envoy admits that her autorickshaw catches the attention of most people on the streets and has created quite a stir on social media. "The first thing that catches people's eyes is the fun design, which is inspired by our tourism promotion campaign and the beautiful spectrum of colours you can find in Mexico. I think some rickshaw wallahs are confused initially but they always find it amusing. Even my driver enjoys being a part of the experience," Pria said in an official statement.

While the envoy understands that the diplomatic number plate on the autorickshaw worries people about security, she says she did not want to be any different from the millions of Indians who use the mode of transport every day. "I think Delhiites have had positive reactions to this rickshaw, as it pays homage to Indian cultural tradition. They also appreciate the fact that it may be less polluting than a four-wheeler," the statement said.

Pria considers the autorickshaw an efficient mode of transportation. "The attention it has received has made it a fun and creative way to promote Mexico and its artistry."

Her auto was designed by Mexican artist Senkoe, who participated in the Delhi Street Art Festival this February. "In Delhi there are certain rules for three wheelers and incidents have happened before. I had tried to enter Parliament in the autorickshaw. I understand that people are used to seeing autorickshaws as transports for hire and not as a private vehicles but it has not been a real problem at all so far. I just hope that with time people will increasingly realise that there are some benefits about this type of vehicle as it is more compact and less polluting," her statement added.