CHENNAI: They were once the primary means of transport within a locality for the city folk. Even former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran won the National Award for Best Actor for his role as a ‘Rickshawkaaran’ in a movie of the same title.
The once ubiquitous cycle rickshaw has now been reduced to a relic of the past, with only a smattering of them operating in the city these days. Although their decline began a few years ago, the situation has not changed much.
At the Walltax Road cycle rickshaw stand adjoining the Chennai Central Railway Station, the rickshawmen doze fitfully in the afternoon heat. This stand has around 40 rickshaws.
Kumar, a rickshaw-puller at the stand for the last 25 years says, “We earn around Rs 100 to 150 a day, at the most.” Thangavel, also from the same stand says, “Earlier, for short distances, people used to prefer taking rickshaws. Even now, we find some users in Sowcarpet, who take us to go through the narrow streets. We don’t take school children these days, and since everyone has a two-wheeler, they use that.”
He also says that they charge a maximum of Rs 25 to 30, but still people preferred autos.
Residents of Sowcarpet feel that not only are cycle rickshaws cheaper as there is no fuel, but can also manoeuvre through the chaotic streets.
Mansi, a psychology student says, “Rickshaws provide livelihood for those men. Some of them have been pulling rickshaws all along, what will they do now?” Even in areas like Purasawalkam, many students make use of cyclerickshaws to travel to and from school.
This being another locality with narrow streets, which are mostly clogged with parked vehicles, rickshaws can travel more easily.
Although rickshaws are on the decline, residents feel that it would be cheaper and easier to take a rickshaw from the bus stand to their homes. If properly allotted space and promoted, cycle rickshaws may well be the solution to lapses in public transport in the city.