Patna’s auto drivers say roads shine, but Bihar’s development path is uneven

If you visit Patna, you will find hundreds of autorickshaws and e-rickshaws facilitating everyday commute. But few know what life is like for the people driving them.

During the election season, we visited Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk, a busy auto stand in Patna, to listen to their stories. Many of their vehicles were in poor condition: broken doors, dents, and marks from batons. Drivers claim they face daily harassment from the police, even though the city has neither proper auto stands nor designated parking areas.

They point out that while roads have been beautified and a metro is under construction, the core issues of jobs, education, and healthcare remain neglected. “Building roads doesn’t create employment, and a metro won’t fix our schools,” one driver said.

Several also questioned why factories shut during Lalu Yadav’s tenure were never reopened under two decades of NDA. They lament that Bihar, long pushed to the margins, continues to suffer from poor education and crumbling health services.

Most feel abandoned by every political party and leader, whether it’s Jan Suraaj, RJD, BJP, or any other.

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