Kolkata, April 4 -- The fading presence of hand-pulled rickshaws in West Bengal's Kolkata is not just a story of changing transport preferences, concerns of human dignity, but also of the struggle for livelihood for those still engaged in it.

The erstwhile Left Front government had attempted to ban the hand-pulled rickshaws in 2006 through legislation, stemming from concerns over human dignity. These rickshaws are still present in a few areas, including the older quarters. Locals said that no new licences have been issued for decades and the implementation of the 2006 legislation has been slow.

With a rapid rise of app-based mobility services and improved public transport, those still dependent on hand-pulled rickshaws are finding it in...