DU: Rickshaw- pullers struggle to survive

The e- rickshaws, which have become a popular in Delhi University’s North Campus, have become a huge competition for cycle rickshaw pullers.

Even students who travel to North Campus prefer travelling in an e- rickshaw for its cheap rate and fast mobility.

Raju Singh, a cycle rickshawpuller for the past 7 years, said, “Earlier, when there were no e- rickshaws, I used to do good business. Students used to travel in my rickshaw wherever they wanted, but since the time this e- rickshaw phenomenon started, I am unable to make much money. May be because they charge only ` 10 and I charge according to the distance. There is a huge competition among between us.”

Agreeing with Raju, another cycle rickshawpuller Shankar Jadhav said, “E- rickshaw waalas have taken over the North Campus as this area has a large concentration of short- distance travellers. Earlier, we used to earn around ` 300 to ` 400 in a day, but now it is difficult to earn that much. And now, since the admission process is also online, few students come to the campus.”

On the other hand, erickshaw drivers feel that even they face difficulties at times because many erickshaws have come up in the same area. “I do get students everyday in my erickshaw. We also face competition with the other e- rickshaw drivers. I make around ` 500 to ` 700 a day because students in this area prefer taking a e- rickshaws than the cycle rickshaws,” said Rajat Singh, an e- rickshaw driver.

“Our business has decreased after e- ricshaws were introduced. We anyhow carry just two passengers, while e- rickshaw carry upto seven. We stand outside Metro stations and hardly get students and even if we get some customers, they bargain with us,” said another rickshawpuller.