Comments on: CNG Rickshaws Land in Karachi

By: Hena

Hena — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:25:04 +0000

Ok CNG rickshaws are a great idea. However, the last time I was in Karachi (October) the lines were huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge for CNG, everywhere! Seriously would take like 20-25 minutes. I’m assuming these rickshaws will have their own stations somewhere for CNG, or am I being too organized here? But if they do, then I’m all for it – as well as CNG buses:) Maybe the CNG will rid the buses of all their lame-O bells and whistles too? Ok I should just stop. hehe. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

By: BoZz

BoZz — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 19:57:11 +0000

One answer for many problems EDUCATION. Should be made compulsory, mandatory, obligatory in this country from grass root level up. Parents of children up to a certain age, who do not attend schools, should be held accountable.

It is easier said than done, I do realize that. Poverty being the persistent adversary to above. However, to contemplate breaking out of this vicious quick sand, a start has to be some where and some hardship, even more in our case, has to be endured. For the greater economic good of both the individuals involved and the country in general.

I am sure there are far better minds out there who could, if they so wished, devise a plan for the same.

By: Neoka

Neoka — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:41:09 +0000

@Bozz: couldnt have said it better myself. You’re absolutely correct, the mind set HAS to be changed. What my suggest was; metaphorically to replace a gun with a knife, so that the chances of a person killing someone is reduced and made more difficult (relatively of course, knives kill people just the same)

So the question is then, what is and can be done to help change these mind sets?

ps. there are many more CNG rickshaws in lahore, and delhi and mumbai have completely converted to CNG now

By: Purple_Haze

Purple_Haze — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:50:23 +0000

What about Ethanol? Pakistan use to be one of the biggest suppliers of Ethanol to EU until India complained. Also biodeisel and Fuel Cells must be explored quickly as they are in neighboring countries.

By: Aussi_Paki

Aussi_Paki — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 22:43:29 +0000

I miss my Karachi :(!!

By: redsnapper

redsnapper — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:53:16 +0000

Yeah the rickshaw is a pleasant change. Brings a smile to one’s face.

@sufi: it’d be fun driving this to work. And don’t forget the miniature chinese car that one sees once in a while. If only a cheap small electric car was available. Noiseless, dhuaan-less.

I’ve heard these CNG rickshaws are now very common in Lahore. Is this correct ?

By: Abdul Sami

Abdul Sami — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:04:13 +0000

According to a conventional rickshaw driver, the new CNG rickshaw has got heating problems. It has to be cooled after few hours of operations. This is why we are not seeing them often on roads.

By: al khan

al khan — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:27:12 +0000

Who says they cause less pollution??

By: BoZz

BoZz — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:39:29 +0000

On the long run I fail to see how this half measure will improve anything. The key to success, and in this case the successful control of environmental pollution lies not with the purchase and introduction of newer machines only.

The real, long term and positive results can only be achieved by changing the mind set. That means educated the people.

We have seen it all before. Many half hearted measures and tries but till such time people are not educated, taught and learn, things will not and cannot change.

Who will maintain these machines?
Who will repair them?
Who will certify these machines as road worthy?

Have these people or their mind-sets been addressed? I think not.

Just like guns do not kill, men do, similarly, the problem is not the machines but men behind them.

By: Neoka

Neoka — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 01:18:25 +0000

Yes Finally!

If I were a minister of transport, I would put my budge to good use, buy up 500 of these rickshaws, sell them for dirt cheap to anyone that will exchange their old rickshaws for new ones.
Once the market is flooded with the CNG rickshaws, you begin phasing out the old rickshaws by enforcing pollution automotive pollution producing restrictions on vehicles and rickshaws.

Before you know it, we’ll be like Delhi and have all rickshaws on CNG. This would considerable reduce the pollution that the current rickshaws are making.

I believe it would even increase the usage of rickshaws in Karachi, since the pollution is quite a deterrent for some I know, including myself.

Next stop, CNG Buses!