Banning two-stroke auto-rickshaws in Lahore : policy implications

The problem of banning two-stroke auto-rickshaws in Lahore is discussed in different contexts here, such as its impact on the socio-economic status of rickshaw drivers, factory workers engaged in rickshaw manufacture, rickshaw manufacturers, rickshaw users, etc., and the quantification of its benefits and costs, as well as its socio-economic implications. The primary data were collected through questionnaires developed for different stakeholders such as the Transport Department, the Government of the Punjab, Punjab Environment Protection Department, manufacturers of two-stroke and four-stroke auto-rickshaws, Rickshaw and Motorcycle Dealers Association, rickshaw drivers etc. The information collected has been computed and interpreted in the form of descriptive research. The findings suggest that the problem is not completely understood by the stakeholders. There is almost a complete consensus on the need to impose the ban but the strategy followed by the stakeholders, including the Government of the Punjab, was extensively criticised and challenged by the affectees. (Pak Development Rev/GIGA)