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Handcart pullers protest ban in Chandni Chowk

          New Delhi: Hundreds of hand-cart pullers today protested against the Delhi High Court's order banning rickshaws (man-pulled carts) and hand carts in the walled city area of the capital. During the protest cart pullers carried red banner, placards and marched through the streets. "The government's decision has put us in a situation where we don't have employment to support our family and we are facing a lot of difficulties," said Subash, president of the cart pullers' organisation. On Saturday, 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.
- June 11,  2007