RIP: Hand-pulled rickshaws?

The news is that the hand-pulled rickshaws are to be banned in Kolkata. Hindustan Times carried this report.

Timesonline writes more:

Authorities in West Bengal state, ruled by Communists since 1977, say that they want to stop the “human indignity” of this form of transport. They have been trying to phase out the hand-pulled rickshaws over the past decade. They banned them from the city’s main streets three years ago but many residents consider them to be cheap and convenient for short journeys in a crowded city that floods frequently.

They were introduced for carrying goods to Calcutta in the late 19th century by Chinese traders. The British administration allowed them to flourish and, in 1919, permitted them to carry passengers. The announcement of the ban came as India celebrated 58 years of independence.

While they get banned from Kolkata, they have started plying in New York of all places! These are made in China and being used as part of the city tour. You can find more here.