Why not limit cars instead of banning cycle rickshaws, HC asks NDMC

Terming the approach to ban cycle rickshaws in parts of the city "unrealistic", the Delhi High Court on Wednesday slammed the New Delhi Municipal Corporation for not fixing a limit to the number of cars a person can possess.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah noted that the in place of regulation pollution, "the government seems more interested in dumping the eco-friendly mode of transport".

"We find the guidelines are unrealistic. Why are you so enthusiastic in banning cycle rickshaws? Why do not you issue guidelines limiting the number of cars a person can have in the city?" the bench observed while hearing a PIL filed by Manushi, an NGO.

The NGO submitted that the measure to ban rickshaws in some parts of the city has taken away the livelihood of poor people.

"It seems the total number of cars in Delhi are more than the combined number of cars in three metros Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata," noted the Bench and said that in view of the increasing pollution, people in several countries including China and Holland have adopted bicycles and cycle rickshaws as a mode of transport.

Appearing for the petitioner NGO, senior counsel Prashant Bhushan submitted that the guidelines issued by NDMC were violative of Fundamental Rights under Article 14 (Right to livelihood) of the rickshaw pullers in the city.

Bhushan said a ceiling of 99,000 licences compels most of the six lakh cycle rickshaws to ply illegally.
The government allows plying of rickshaws in parts of the city, the lawyer said and added that they are most eco-friendly among all other vehicles.

The court has fixed February 19 as the date for further hearing of the matter.