Editorial
Proliferating rickshaws
Phasing out with rehabilitation is the answer
THE number of rickshaws in the metropolitan city has increased manifold over the years, thereby slowing down traffic besides making mobility hazardous. We are concerned to learn that 90,000 rickshaws were given licence in 1986, though the number of unauthorised rickshaws has swelled to over four lakh. The sheer upswing in the figure points to an evident lack of monitoring of the growth profile through periodic need assessment and pursuit of any definitive transport policy for the city.
Rickshaws in Dhaka city come with manifold dimensions. While these illegal rickshaws are contributing to problems on the roads on a daily basis, they are nonetheless means of livelihood for the drivers, their owners and a large number of dependents. So, there is the humanitarian aspect to it that cannot be overlooked. Research studies show that mostly landless people migrate to the urban areas and get self-employed as rickshaw pullers. On this consideration, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has to restrain itself from seizing the illegal rickshaws at the moment. The other factor, very rightly pointed out by the DMP commissioner, is that if pushed to unemployment, a large number of rickshaw-pullers might join the underworld and upset law and order even further.
There is no denying that cycle-rickshaws in many ways contribute to creating traffic jam at various points in the city. When thousands of rickshaws ply on the lanes and by-lanes of the metropolis it becomes impossible for motorised vehicles to use these side lanes to make a detour from the main thoroughfares to escape the congestion ahead. As a result, cars have to sit at one spot for long burning valuable octane or gas. In a bid to allow motorised vehicles easy movement, the authorities concerned have banned rickshaws from plying on some major roads. Even new roads are under their consideration for making rickshaw-free. However, the phasing out of rickshaws from arterial roads has not proved to be an unmixed blessing because rickshaws prohibited from big roads are concentrating on narrower roads. So, the answer lies in regulating the number on a realistic basis together with phasing out of unlicenced rickshaws, albeit with simultaneous rehabilitation of those involved in the profession.
While the city cannot totally do away with rickshaws at the moment, the rickshaw-pullers need to be given a comprehensive rehabilitation package by the authorities, with scope for skill development training to seek alternative employment. We understand many of the local NGOs have been working on this important issue; therefore, their expertise could be utilised to reach an acceptable solution. While Dhaka roads urgently need to be given the features of a modern metropolis, the displaced rickshaw-pullers also need to be rehabilitated with dignity.
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