Rickshaw, the one of the oldest means of transport as well as the means of livelihood is also the most visible examples of the exploitation of human labour. How long will these wheels of fate will decide the fortune of poor people. Rickshaw has been the only source to survive from starvation. Delhi government and Nagar Nigam don’t want these anymore on the roads of Delhi. Interestingly, MCD wants to lower the limits of rickshaw to 99,000. According to an estimate more than 5 lakhs rickshaws run on the roads of the capital. Perhaps the only possible source of livelihood for 40 lakh famishing people. And for those who have enough in their pockets and banks, an obstacle in the smooth transportation. Every year the price of cars ,bikes and mobiles comes down and unfortunately it’s never the same with pulses and rice.
Nagar Nigam is planning to introduce electronic rickshaw. In this regard Chauthi Duniya had conversation with a mayor of Delhi Prithviraj Chauhan but he denied that Nagar Nigam wants to extricate the rickshaws completely from the roads of Delhi. The E-Rik has been launched which runs from battery. Seems government doesn’t know that rickshaw could pollute the environment. Governemnt and MCD is ignoring the human aspect. This issue has an economic aspect also. The electronic rickshaw which runs from energy costs 30 to 40 thousand. The Delhi government initiated E- RIK costs 50,000 rupees. Whereas the manual rickshaws costs 10- 12 thousand. Its big problem for the poor rickshaw pullers to purchase electronic rickshaw. Its difficult to differentiate between day and night in heart of Delhi, Cannaught place. The pubs restaurant big show rooms would not even let us realize when night comes.
However few kilometers away at New Delhi railway station, Badayu, a rickshaw puller couldn’t even manage a meal even after working so hard entire day.
Rehmat Ali has a wife, five children and old parents. He takes the passengers from seven in moring to seven in evening. And earns 150 to 200. But he doesn’t have his own rickshaw so he gives 50 rupees to his owner. His life is more like a curse.
There are many obstacles in the law of MCD. Even asfter limiting to its number to 99, 000, if rickshaws are running than the only reason behind is corrupt officials of nagar nigam and the rickshaw mafia.
The question is not just about the novel law of MCD. The question is about the perception. Pollution has become jeopardy for the existence of humanity. Unfortunately what comes with power is a veil of ignorance that bereaves those decision makers from the reality and humanity
