Once the target of local civic agencies, cycle rickshaws were rescued by the Delhi High Court, that slammed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for impounding cycle rickshaws and allowed for issuance of more licenses. Once the rickshaw is impounded, often the process of issuing another license is stopped. Even as developed nations are promoting this environment friendly transport, our country seems to be ignoring it. Instances of traffic cops puncturing cycle-rickshaw’s tyres by piercing it with a sharp edged knife or screw are not rare.
Earlier, the High Court had ordered for the construction of a dedicated lane for cycle rickshaws, but we do not even have lanes for bicycles in the first place.
The planner’s move to limit the number of rickshaws in the Capital has only added to commuters’ woes and at the rate at which the vehicular traffic is increasing, it is becoming difficult to walk while bicycles and rickshaws are disappearing fast. Even for commuting small distances, people use scooters or cars.
Last year, when a rickshaw puller retaliated with a sharp instrument against a traffic constable when arguing, it exposed the issue of how cops ignore the traffic jams caused by motor vehicles while all the time going after the rickshaw pullers.
The court order notwithstanding, people are not sensitive towards the rickshaw pullers.
Last year, the Court raised the question that while there was emphasis on limiting the number of cycle rickshaws, same was not the case with ever increasing motor vehicles and hence there was no need for authorities to impound the former. The Court pointed out that rickshaws should not be picked upon while letting the motorised vehicles go scot free. Keeping global warming and pollution factors in mind and linking it with right to earn livelihood, perhaps there can not be better alternative of transportation than rickshaws.
It is time to save the common man’s means of transport which is also pollution free.
(The writer is Information Officer to Delhi Chief Minister)
