Cycle rickshaws that were introduced in the north Indian city of New Delhi in the 1940's were seen as a major technological advancement over the hand-pulled rickshaws. One would have expected them to disappear with the fast growth of modern, motorized transport. But their number has grown phenomenally in the last couple of decades, testifying to a vibrant and increasing demand for this service. Parreira, Commissioner of Traffic Police, estimates there are about 100,000 rickshaws in the entire region of Delhi. More conservative estimates put the figure at 600,000. In addition, there are at least 20,000 mechanics servicing this sector. On an average day, they make Rs200-250 ($4.51-$5.64), out of which they pay Rs50 to the owner, spend Rs20 ($1.12) on alcohol and/or tobacco, Rs20 ($0.451) on food and the rest on paying loans. Whatever remains after that is the savings. Delhi has several thousand contractors owning anything from five or ten to a few hundred rickshaws. Add to it thousands of those in the small scale sector who are involved in the manufacture of various components used in assembling of rickshaws. On an average, the earning of a rickshaw puller supports five or six others. Thus, at least five to six million people's livelihood is dependent on the labor of Delhi's rickshaw pullers. Rickshaw pullers have a very strong social network, however, only within their village group. Some pullers have been in Delhi for decades, yet, they never talk with any other pullers from other places even though they operate in the same neighborhood. They prefer borrowing and lending among their few trusted friends only. Many of them sleep under the bridges or the rickshaw garages, use public toilets, and skip meals if they failed to make enough money on any day. Cycle rickshaws provide a much needed and valuable public service, especially for the low income groups in all cities. Rural migrants in search of work can hire a rickshaw within hours of reaching the city and start earning money almost instantly. They hire these vehicles from small or big contractors in Delhi on a daily charge ranging from Rs18 to 22 ($0.406-$0.497) , depending on the state of the vehicle. Even new migrants can hire rickshaws without giving any money deposit, solely on the guarantee of some known rickshaw puller introducing them to the contractor. The rental has to be paid either at the end of the day or on a weekly/monthly basis, depending on the equation between the owner and puller. A new rickshaw costs Rs3,500 ($79) and a second-hand one can be purchased for as low as Rs800 to Rs2,000 ($18-$45), depending on the condition of the vehicle. Thus, the Rs600 ($13.5) hire charge that a rickshaw puller pays to the rickshaw contractor from whom he hires the vehicle represents nearly one sixth the cost of a new vehicle or half the price of a second-hand vehicle. The reason for such high rental is not so much due to the ‘greed' of exploitative contractors, but more due to the fact that the corporation laws make owning and hiring a rickshaw a very high risk venture and routinely inflict heavy losses on the owners for operating in this sector. The only way for the rickshaw pullers to transfer money to their loved ones in their respective villages is through local travelers who come to the city from their villages to collect money from them. Obviously, such money collectors charge for their services. Whenever such people come to the city, these rickshaw pullers borrow money from the local moneylenders. One group relies on a manager of a local motel, and the other group relies on an owner of a tea shop. They view these moneylenders as saviors and have high regards for them. In order to send money to their families, these rickshaw pullers pay interests to two parties - one to the moneylender and the other to the person who came from the village to collect money from them. Most of them have now realized this problem and expressed their desire to open bank accounts. Many middle class families contract with rickshaw pullers to transport their children; a rickshaw puller who transports children becomes a “family retainer”.
