A black Tata Sumo

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Packed with at least 14 passengers & a wheelcart overhead, a Tata Sumo private vehicle is ready to make another round of trip from the city of Aurangabad. It is painted black with few yellow strips over its body. A woman wearing a blue saree is talking with someone over her feature phone. There is chatter in the air. There are other vehicles nearby.

It takes about 35 to 40 minutes for the vehicle to be full. Aurangabad is a district place and is one of the fastest developing cities in India. More number of people from the adjacent taluka places ought to travel here everyday. They come for several reasons, e.g., to make their day job, to bulk purchase for their local businesses, to celebrate, to visit government offices, for education and so on.

With India's Purchasing Power Parity being second only to China in the world, it offers many such cheaper travel options for the people. Besides there is a lack of tax scrutiny on such businesses. Passengers are paying in cash for the transport services. 

The day was indeed hot but temperature has decreased owing to the rainstorm two days back. Some of these local businesses take a sensitive hit with the volatility in the prices of crude oil. India is a net importer of energy. It's also a matter of gender equality as every single penny makes it tougher on women to decide to make the travel. It also makes the business less profitable and more uncertain.

The driver has sat in the vehicle and ready to make the trip.
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