SC sent notice to Delhi government over the ban of Rickshaws

July 11: The apex court today asked the Delhi government to clarify over the ban of Rickshaws in Chandni Chowk area of Delhi. Acting after hearing a petition filed by a transport development organisation, the Supreme Court has sent notice to the government to answer why it banned the most eco-friendly mode of transport.

The State govt., Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Police are given four weeks time to reply.

The non-government organisation working in the development of transport has questioned the ban pointing it as one of the eco-friendly mode of transport that provides livelihood to over 6 lakh rickshaw-pullers in the NCR region. Now after the ban those people got jobless without a proper reason. Government needs to first study the whole thing before the ban, the organisation added.

Reportedly, the government of Delhi commenced the ban order on last September citing the traffic congestion as the prime reason. But in reality there are various other reasons for the city’s pathetic traffic condition.

In fact it is not the rickshaw-pullers or their families who are now deprived of a livelihood but the mechanics who earn on daily basis by repairing those rickshaws.

Again if you are a delite or ever travelled in the Old Delhi area then you can understand the need of rickshaws in the narrow lanes where no other vehicles can move. Also as the cheapest mode it is the best transport meant for the poor and middle class who can’t afford auto-rickshaw for a two km distance.

Last year the government of West Bengal banned the hand pulled rickshaws that brought discussion and debate from various quarters of the society especially to the effort for arranging alternative livelihood for the rickshaw-pullers. The same in the case of Delhi, where it is necessary for the government to guarantee some sorts of employment before eradicating rickshaws completely from Delhi roads.

Earlier on the month of May the Delhi High Court had directed the MCD demanding a complete ban on rickshaws following a complaint from a traders association. But now the recent direction from the court is contrary to the earlier one. Hence just wait and see what the government and MCD are going to answer to the question.