Delhi HC asks Centre, Delhi govt. to submit reply on rickshaw ban

The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre and the Delhi Government to submit their replies on a petition challenging the ban on cycle rickshaws in Chandni Chowk area of the Capital.

New Delhi, June 19 : The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre and the Delhi Government to submit their replies on a petition challenging the ban on cycle rickshaws in Chandni Chowk area of the Capital.

A division bench of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice P K Bhasin said, "There are two ways of looking at the problem. Rickshaw may not be needed. But there is so much poverty in the country that it serves a social purpose by providing employment to millions of people."

"Once the executive fails in regulation, this is the situation where we land up," the bench observed.

Earlier this month, 15 of the 30 eco-friendly buses were introduced in the Chandni Chowk area as an alternative means of transport after the court ban.

The cycle rickshaw pullers, mostly poor and illiterates, say their families would starve, and they won't get any alternative employment.

"The government should look for an alternative arrangement or stop the bus service, so that we can feed our children," said Ramu, a rickshaw puller.

In 2006, the Delhi High Court, in a bid to ease traffic congestion in the area, gave a ruling for a complete ban on rickshaws and implementation of an alternative mass transport system in the busy Chandni Chowk complex, near historic Red Fort area.

The ruling also prohibits plying of hand carts and animal driven vehicles in the area which is one of the largest commercial areas in the national capital, with winding and narrow streets full of shops selling everything from bangles to textile and spices, both wholesale and retail.

Cycle rickshaws have been an integral part of the centuries-old settlement and its old-world charm. The thought of Chandni Chowk minus rickshaw is something of an enigma even for the local residents.

ANI