“Cannot be allowed to continue”: SC to Maharashtra on scrapping Matheran’s Hand-Pulled rickshaws, seeks dignified alternative

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court raised concern over the continued use of hand-pulled carts for transporting tourists in Matheran, a popular yet eco-sensitive hill station in Maharashtra. Observing the practice to be outdated and inhumane, the Court directed the state government to explore alternative transport systems that would also accommodate existing hand-cart pullers.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the matter when amicus curiae K. Parameshwar submitted that, apart from Kolkata, Matheran remains the only place where hand-pulled rickshaws or carts are still in operation. He noted that the practice persists despite Matheran receiving an annual tourist footfall of nearly 20 lakh.

The Court referred to the pilot project involving 20 e-rickshaws in Matheran, previously ordered by the Supreme Court, while noting the irregularities in allocation that followed. In this context, the Bench suggested that the Maharashtra government consider replicating the transport model adopted at the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.

Highlighting the Gujarat model, the CJI pointed out that around 150 e-rickshaws operate at the Sardar Sarovar site, all allocated to tribal women living in nearby areas. “In the morning the women deposit a fee of Rs 150 or so and take a rickshaw on rent for a day. Whatever they earn ... they take home,” the CJI stated.