Hand-Pulled Rickshaw Pullers in Kolkata: Exploring Their Socio-Economic Status

Hand-pulled rickshaws were introducedin Kolkata during the British period and after serving local residents for a long period of time, they are facing the problem of marginalization. In the present age of globalization and urban growth, this type of transport has been an integral part of the city’s socio-economic fabric. This is a pollution-free, human-driven mode of transport. The people, predominantly migrants from states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and other rural areas of West Bengal are mainly work as rickshaw pullers and are dependent on this occupation due to lack of formal education and alternative employment opportunities in Kolkata. The present study aims to find out the basic socio-economic characters of hand-pulled rickshaw pullers in Kolkata and also tries to evaluate the reasons behind its marginalization in recent days. The present study combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with an emphasis on fieldwork, direct observation and primary data collection and analysis. The primary survey was conducted on 100 hand-pulled rickshaw pullers (all male) in selected localities of Kolkata like Burrabazar, North Kolkata, Bhawanipore, Sobhabazar and College Street. This research highlights the intricate dynamics of the social and economic structure of hand-pulled rickshaw pullers in Kolkata, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of their present situation in society as well as their daily struggles.