No jams without rickshaws, says Dhoka mayor after banning the three-wheelers

Dhoka East City Corporation recently banned all rickshaws from plying the city corporation streets, with Mayor Dhapash saying the move was taken to ease the city's extreme traffic congestion.

"It has reached epic levels, the city's traffic jams, so we have decided to ban rickshaws," Dhapash said in a press conference yesterday. "It will also reduce the noise pollution, as the infernal trring ring, trring ring will no longer be heard..."

He had to pause as the blaring horns of cars and buses on the street outside his office drowned out his words.

"It will also increase the beauty of our streets, because really, who wants to see people toiling away in the glare of the sun to pull two or three people to their destinations?" Dhapash continued.

"It's just not a good look, especially as the country is on the cusp of graduating to developing country status," he said.

Reporters, most of whom had to pay more than they normally would have to get to the press conference, then asked how rickshaws – which measure around three feet across on streets around 30 feet wide – could be the major cause of traffic jams.

"It is not just one rickshaw, as you all know," the mayor said. "These things are all over the place, there is no discipline. Other vehicles, like buses, have no chance when these things are on the streets."

He then moved on to the second part of the press conference.

"I would like to announce that we have signed deals with 45 new bus companies to make up for the shortfall of transport options," he said with a big smile on his face.

Experts have said that the move to ban rickshaws will push lakhs of rickshaw-pullers into abject poverty. When asked about this, Dhapash said, "We have contingency plans for that too. 45 bus companies means a lot of buses, and a lot of commissions, and a lot of contracts… what was I saying?"

"You were saying you had contingency plans for the countless rickshaw-pullers who will be out of jobs," piped up a reporter.

"Oh yes, they will be given jobs to ride on buses. With such an influx of new buses, it is inevitable that initially many of them will be empty. So jobless rickshaw-pullers will get to ride on the new buses."

Won't new buses add to the traffic problem, being as they are much bigger than rickshaws?

"Yes, but that will be offset by how shiny they will be, and how well-trained the drivers will be. I tell you, this will transform the city. And don't be worried about the rickshaw-pullers… never underestimate the Dhoka spirit," Dhapash concluded.