motorbike

The West Bengal Assembly has passed a Bill banning handpulled rickshaws.

The government has promised alternative livelihood and compensation to the nearly 15,000 people who are likely to be affected.

But for the moment, Kolkata's rickshaw pullers are staring at a very uncertain future.

Fifty-two-year-old Mohammad Idris has been pulling the rickshaw since the age of 19. But now, the prospect of losing his only means of livelihood is staring him full in the face.

"How will we earn a living if we don't ride the rickshaw. We support ourselves and our families with the income we get.

"If we ride our rickshaws, we earn a living else we face lots of hardships. Where else will we get a job? We will suffer a huge loss with the rickshaws going off the streets,” he said.

Take a brief look at...