[sustran] Cycle rickshaws save 9 lakh litres of fuel everyday, claims study

[Asija, Navdeep]

The Tribune, 18th October 2013, Page 6

While the West Bengal Government has earned the ire of environmentalists
for banning bicycles and rickshaws on 174 roads, in Punjab the humble cycle
rickshaw continues to save 9 lakh litres of fuel and 13,680 tonnes of fresh
air every day.


A common man's transport mode, more than 3 lakh cycle rickshaws help 6
million people commute to their destinations everyday without spewing any
toxic emissions.

These are the findings of a study on cycle rickshaws by Navdeep Asija of
the Institute of Development and Communication, Chandigarh. The cycle
rickshaw is a source of income for 16 lakh persons and 3.2 lakh urban poor
families of Punjab. Of the 5.5 crore commuter trips recorded in the state,
6 million are by the cycle rickshaws. It is undoubtedly the safest mode of
transportation with the least number of accidents as compared to other
modes.


"Each cycle rickshaw saves 3 litres of fuel every day. Since burning of
each litre requires 15.2 kg of fresh air, 9 lakh litres would require
13,680 tonnes of fresh air," explained the study. Despite being a green
mode of transport, the rickshaw is the only over-regulated mode of public
transport in the country.


The study states: "All existing policies related to operations are either
trying to control the number of people who enter this trade or abolish the
sector altogether. The Seventh Schedule (Article 246), List II of the
Constitution delegates' powers to make rules and regulations related to
non-motor transport, especially the cycle rickshaw. "The existing Rickshaw
Acts do not provide much attention towards the smooth and legal rickshaw
operations, but an over-regulated licensing regime has been created, which
only leads to exploitation of rickshaw operators and the trade itself."


It quotes a survey conducted by Manushi that states that in Delhi alone the
"terror unleashed by the licence quota- raid-raj on rickshaw operators
leads to a loss of income worth over Rs 200 crore through bribes and
confiscation of rickshaws."

The study discusses how the applicable Acts restrict a rickshaw puller aged
above 45 not to ply a rickshaw.


Ironically, the tax component of cycle rickshaw is about 20 per cent-22 per
cent, the highest for any mode of transportation. The study has suggested
reforms in licensing, relaxation in the upper age limit, allowing renting
of rickshaw and VAT exemption.


*Green wheels: No toxic emissions*

*
*

❚ More than 3 lakh cycle rickshaws in Punjab help 6 million people commute
to their destinations everyday

❚ It is a source of income for 16 lakh persons and 3.2 lakh urban poor
families in the state

❚ It is the safest mode of transportation with the least number of
accidents Over-regulated mode of transport

❚ The rickshaw is the only over-regulated mode of public transport in the
country

❚ An over-regulated licensing regime has led to exploitation of rickshaw
operators and the trade


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Posted By Navdeep Asija to Fazilka
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10/19/2013 04:15:00 PM