Compile data on number of rickshaws in Delhi: HC to MCDs

The Delhi High Court today directed the civic authorities to compile data on the total number of rickshaws plying in the city and to get them registered.
The high court's direction came after it was informed by the municipal corporations that according to them the total number of rickshaws plying on city roads, irrespective of whether they are registered or not, was a little over 30,000.
Whereas,
the bench noted that in a 2010 order, the court had said that total number of rickshaws plying in Delhi would be in excess of six lakh.
Referring to the earlier order, a bench of justices S Muralidhar and I S Mehta said clearly the figure of 30,000 given by the municipal corporations in an affidavit cannot be said to be correct as more than seven years have elapsed since the 2010 decision.

To this, the counsel for the North municipal corporation informed the court that it has been decided to conduct a fresh survey in a more realistic manner to get the correct figure of the number of rickshaws plying in the areas under all the three municipal corporations.

The court was hearing PILs filed by NGO, Manushi Sangathan, and others in 2007 on the issue of redevelopment of the Chandni Chowk area and creation of lanes for non-motorised vehicles.
The court reminded the three municipal corporations, South, East and North, that it was necessary to compile the data and make a list by interacting with rickshaw pullers and their owners and gather information about the total number of rickshaws.

It said if such a list already exists, then it should be compiled and placed before the court.
It also asked advocate Sanjeev Ralli, appearing for Chandni Chowk Vyapar Mandal, and Delhi Police counsel Naushad Ahmed Khan to provide any information available with them to the municipal corporations so that a more realistic figure of total number of rickshaws could be gathered.
It said it was aware that a considerable amount of time would be taken for registering all the rickshaws here and granting licences to rickshaw pullers.
The bench further said it was expected that substantial progress will be made in this regard before the next date on January 16.

It also asked the authorities to ensure that sufficient number of public notices are published in electronic and print media on the issue.
To facilitate the exercise without being delayed, the court asked the parties concerned to convene a meeting within a week.
Meanwhile, the court also asked the authorities to proceed with the work of constructing a bus depot at Dangal Maidan in Chandni Chowk and said that no further time should be wasted in commencing the work.