We are all victims of excruciating traffic jam in this ever crowded mega city and the car owners along with those on a visit from abroad are often quick to condemn rickshaws and purport their complete removal. The slower rickshaws cause disarray with motorized vehicles and the illiterate rickshaw pullers do not follow traffic rules.
But I want rickshaws.
Dhaka is known as the Rickshaw Capital of the World. Many of us will crow and blog about the enjoyable rickshaw rides when the city load is dispersed during Eid vacations or ‘hartals’. The colorful and ornate hoods have fascinated many artists and sociologists, both in Dhaka and elsewhere. Ask Gunter Grass or any tourist and they will confirm it as one of the most famous sights and unique experiences of Dhaka/Bangladesh.
The fuel-free rickshaws do not cause any air pollution or any noise pollution. In the global green awakening, this alone should be reason enough to promote rather than discourage the rickshaws. Developed countries are trying to promote the usage of non-motorized transport (NMT): Pedal powered emission free rickshaws are now available in Western cities like New York City, London and San Diego [Green Earth Cabs]. Rickshaws have the added advantage for us in that they are not dependent on imported fuel. They are also efficient in the smaller space they occupy as well as in the occupancy capacity utilization compared to cars mostly seen carrying just 1 or 2 passengers including the driver.
It was estimated in 2005 that 5 million people in Bangladesh are dependent on the income of rickshaw pullers for their survival [World Carefree Network]. The mode of transport in addition provides a legal means of earning to its manufacturers, accessory (seat, hoods) suppliers, decorators and garage renters. Alternatives to survival for this vast impoverished mass would be begging or crime.
Rickshaw pullers have one of the toughest lives. Riding all day in stifling heat and ferocious rain through some of the world's most uneven and pot-holed roads, being treated as the lowest form of life in roads ruled in hierarchy by trucks, buses, coaches, cars and CNGs, breathing in the black exhaust of these on top of the hard physical labor - the average lifespan of a rickshaw driver is thought to be around 45 years [BBC] compared to the national average life expectancy of over 65 years. Would tyhey have chosen this hard life if they had an alternative? Is it the submissive status of the rickshaw pullers that makes them easy scapegoats?
Worst still is the treatment these beleaguered pullers receive from the police force. The tool at hand is a crude bamboo baton that they use directly on the rickshaw-puller's body. I could take the puncturing of the wheels with screwdriver or the police taking Tk. 2.00/= bribes to allow crossing certain roads, but such utter human right violation is by no means a traffic control measure.
Last but most important, rickshaw is as much a necessity as a cultural symbol. The predominance of rickshaw as a transport for the city dwellers is evidenced by the fact that they comprise 49%, 78%, 80% and 55% of traffic in Dhaka, Sylhet, Comilla and Rangpur cities respectively [Banglapedia]. The non-bus traveler has but few alternatives and so restrictions on rickshaws inevitably reduces mobility for a great many commuters.
Walking and bi-cycling are by all means healthier alternatives, in spite of the fact that pavements, where they exist, are used by cows, hawkers, bus counters, parked cars and running motor cycles, and dirty water is always squirted from rushing vehicles or overhead outlets. The point here however is: why NOT rickshaws? Encourage cycling but then what is the harm in rickshaws? Tomorrow it might well be the walking pedestrians who will be banned because nothing can beat our count! If there were no demand, rickshaws would fade out naturally as the 'Tuk-tuk's did.
If rickshaw pullers are rowdy and illiterate, can you say that vehicle drivers are any better? What control does the traffic have over the registered licensed CNG auto-rickshaw drivers anyway? Not a single of them will ever agree to go on meter but the police never pick on them. Neither are there laws against buses picking and dropping passengers in the middle of the road. And one hopes that owners of private vehicles would have their drivers behave more responsibly, but in vain. It is sadly interesting to note that the likes of Westin and Warid block rickshaws on the public adjacent lanes of their buildings to facilitate their car movements.
The double standard of providing absolute priority to a tiny minority 9% of car owners in Dhaka, while at the same time restricting environmentally friendly and efficient rickshaws, has no scientific basis as far as congestion management is concerned. Under the Dhaka Urban Transport Project (DUTP), the World Bank published a report “After Study on the Impact of the Mirpur Demonstration Corridor Project” on effects of converting Mirpur Road into non-NMT zone. The report states the conversion resulted in (i) significant increase in passenger waiting times for public transport, particularly during peak hours; and (ii) a lack of appropriate alternative transport facilities for women, children and elderly passengers.
We have all told tales of times when unmanageable traffic was brought under control by deploying army. So let us not cut out the head to cure headache. Let us not even question the role of our police force. Let us just pray that the policy makers do not confuse the solution to be anything other than decentralization of the city and improvement or rather introduction of proper public mass transportation means.
Other appearances of this write-up:
Adapted Bangla Version
Star Weekend Magazine 16 Oct 2009 Letters
Prothom Alo 25 Nov 2009 Page 12
Samakal 19 Dec 2009 Khola Chokhe
Adapted Bangla Version
Star Weekend Magazine 16 Oct 2009 Letters
Prothom Alo 25 Nov 2009 Page 12
Samakal 19 Dec 2009 Khola Chokhe
Bibliography:
Traffic Situation Worsening- Daily Star, October 23, 2009 Metropolitan City
Amader Ricshaw Chitra - Prothom Alo
The Ricksha Arts of Bangladesh - by Cultural and Social Anthropologist Joanna Kirkpatrick
Rickshaw…..Our Cultural and Traditional Hereditary - Blog
The Ecotaxi - Exhibition in Germany
Rickshaws exhibition - Bengal Art Gallery, St. Gallen
Britto Rickshaw Workshop 2005
Rickshaw Painting in A New Light - Exhibition at Alliance Francaise: Daily Star report .
The indispensable rickshaw - Daily Star, April 3, 2008 Letters and Facts and figures - Daily Star, November 13, 2009 Letters
Road Safety and Traffic Congestion- Daily Star, October 23, 2009Point Counterpoint
Traffic Situation Worsening- Daily Star, October 23, 2009 Metropolitan City
Amader Ricshaw Chitra - Prothom Alo
The Ricksha Arts of Bangladesh - by Cultural and Social Anthropologist Joanna Kirkpatrick
Rickshaw…..Our Cultural and Traditional Hereditary - Blog
The Ecotaxi - Exhibition in Germany
Rickshaws exhibition - Bengal Art Gallery, St. Gallen
Britto Rickshaw Workshop 2005
Rickshaw Painting in A New Light - Exhibition at Alliance Francaise: Daily Star report .
The indispensable rickshaw - Daily Star, April 3, 2008 Letters and Facts and figures - Daily Star, November 13, 2009 Letters
Road Safety and Traffic Congestion- Daily Star, October 23, 2009Point Counterpoint
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