Rickshaws mean trouble

Overcharging, breaking of traffic rules, illegally parking and encroaching roads are common among cycle rickshaws near Pitampura Metro station.

The moment one steps outside the station, cycle rickshaw pullers starts troubling to hire them. They also drive rashly without following any traffic rules which many a time leads to accidents. They neither stop at a red light nor give any signal while making a turn.   
 Sunil Pareekh, a resident of Pitampura CD Block said, "The rickshaw pullers demand exorbitant fare and are arrogant. Earlier, cycle rickshaws were considered to be the cheapest mode of transport but now it's not the same."
 As there are limited modes of transport, cycle rickshaw pullers make most of the situation and fleece residents. Travelling a distance of around 4 km should cost around Rs 30 but these drivers charge Rs 60. These pullers also park their rickshaws on the wrong side. Vanshika Arora, a student, who resides in Madhuban Chowk, Pitampura said, "I daily commute through cycle rickshaws and have become fed up of these rickshaw pullers as they sometime charge Rs 40 or Rs 50 instead of Rs 20, which is the genuine charge. Government seems to be least concerned about our problems."
Sometimes quarrels also take place due to these irregularities. Vijaylaxmi, a resident of Rajdhani Enclave, Pitampura said, "We take cycle rickshaws as we don't have any other option. Authorities should take strict action against these cycle rickshaw pullers and make them responsible and non-troublesome."
 Praveen Kumar, SHO, Pitampura said, "To save yourself from overcharging, it's better to fix the price before you board a rickshaw. There is no fare chart, no rule and no act for these cycle rickshaw drivers. If someone faces any problem because of them, we immediately take action. These cycle rickshaws were actually meant to help people commute inside the residential area. They were banned on the main roads by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). In fact, if these cycle rickshaws were found on main roads, they were booked under some charge by the MCD. But now, they are seen everywhere. Some cycle rickshaws are licensed and some are unauthorised. If some problem is created by the authorised rickshaws, then they have to pay Rs 50 as fine. If a complaint is lodged, we seize the rickshaw and hand it over to the MCD's Hackney Carriage Department which carries out further process."

Exorbitant charges
From Pitampura Metro station to CD Block, the amount which should be charged is Rs 10 but the cycle rickshaw pullers charge Rs 25-30. Till Madhuban Chowk or Ranibaag, it should be Rs 20-25 but they take Rs 40. For Aashiyana Chowk, Rs 5-10 but they charge Rs 40-50. Till Income Tax Colony, the charge should be Rs 10-15 but they charge Rs 30. To Maurya Enclave, it should be Rs 10 instead of Rs 30 which is charged by these pullers. To Rajdhani Enclave, Rs 20 should be charged but people are forced to pay Rs 40.