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Analysis of Sustentation of Auto Rickshaw Driver during Covid-19 Lock Down

Article in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY · November 2020
DOI: 10.34218/IJARET.11.11.2020.060

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET)
Volume 11, Issue 11, November 2020, pp. 640-648, Article ID: IJARET_11_11_060
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/issues.asp?JType=IJARET&VType=11&IType=11
ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499
DOI: 10.34218/IJARET.11.11.2020.060

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

ANALYSIS OF SUSTENTATION OF AUTO

RICKSHAW DRIVER DURING COVID-19 LOCK
DOWN
Falguni Acharya
Professor & Head, Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Parul University, India.

Jitendra Panchal
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Parul University, India.

Kanan Joshi
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Parul University, India.

Pradyumansinh Raj
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Parul University, India.

Trilok Akhani
I/C Principal & Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Parul University, India.

ABSTRACT
Since eons, these people are the pedestal for making transportation a trouble-free
trade for hundreds and thousands of passengers traveling for various tasks and pursuits,
the cheapest transport providers, the auto-rickshaw drivers. Though readily available
and most serviceable, the auto drivers encounter numerous ups and downs in daily lives,
struggling to make the most for their livelihood. Economic, mental, and physical
stresses are predominant amongst the auto-rickshaw fraternity all over India. However,
the situation has worsened by the abrupt outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic all over the
globe. The novel coronavirus has dismantled the only staff of life for auto-rickshaw
drivers, which is traveling. Data collection was carried out through questionnaire and
structured analysis was done to study the effects of COVID-19 shut down on the living
of Auto drivers, which includes financial, emotional and mental challenges they might
face due to loss of employment and other tools (especially mobile applications) they
have been using to make their earnings better. The study uses Chi2 test to analyze
impact on earnings by the use of mobile application for auto drivers as well as recovery
time from the loss bared during pandemic, if any aids are made available to them from
any government or nongovernment agencies. It emphasizes on importance of
phycological security among the autorickshaw society. The distribution of ration done

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 Analysis of Sustentation of Auto Rickshaw Driver during Covid-19 Lock Down

by a University at Vadodara city served as an impetus for the authors to study the said
title as they touched the life of this forgotten mass while serving them.
Keywords: Auto-Rickshaw drivers, Mobile Application, sustentation, Novel Corona
Virus (COVID-19), psychological security.
Cite this Article: Falguni Acharya, Jitendra Panchal, Kanan Joshi, Pradyumansinh Raj
and Trilok Akhani, Analysis of Sustentation of Auto Rickshaw Driver during Covid-19
Lock Down, International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and
Technology, 11(11), 2020, pp. 640-648.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/issues.asp?JType=IJARET&VType=11&IType=11

1. INTRODUCTION
Today, the world is witnessing the most bizarre and adverse catastrophe ever experienced in
history. It was in December 2019, when a virus got into job and started affecting the Wuhan
city of China, eventually spreading over the globe [1], [4]. The World Health Organization
(WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic, when over 118,000 cases of the
coronavirus infection prevailed in 110 countries and territories around the world and the
constant risk of further spread globally [2],[4]. Preventive measures were taken by China as
well as local governments to avoid man to man transmission. One of the predominant methods
to eradicate its transmission is isolation and quarantine of individuals and absence of mass
gathering; social distancing from each other is the only way to save one from infection until a
miraculous cure or vaccine knocks the door.
Indian government has declared 1st Lockdown from March 24, 2020 for 21days to control
the transmission of COVID-19. After that the lockdown was prolonged overall India for other
19 days i.e. till May 3, 2020 and further it was continued for other 14 days till May 17, 2020
[3].
In this condition of total lockdown government and media has highlighted on every class of
people residing in the country but somehow this group of warriors were left out; the thought of
complete stagnation of the world churning in the mind served as a food for this research and
analysis. The fail to spot stories and mention of auto-rickshaw drivers in this crisis itself serves
as a motivation for the study. Somehow it was observed that the financial condition of these
transporters was overlooked, also they were struggling for their day today living. Hence an
analysis was done with 200 auto-rickshaw drivers from Vadodara city to investigate the current
situation and provide an aid in whichever way possible.
Priorly, there were numerous surveys done related to the work-life aspect of auto drivers
especially pertaining to their health and stress. Some studies display their work and family life
facts; an in-depth look into the working lives of auto rickshaw drivers studied by Rajesh Ranjan
concluded “quality of life is highest for those who are more engaged or more satisfied in family
than work, and is lowest for those who are more engaged or more satisfied in work than family,
[9]. While a socio-demographic profile, health status and working conditions of auto-rickshaw
drivers in Bhopal was also studied wherein a dire need of health check-ups and awareness for
addictions was emphasized to be provided for the auto drivers [11]. In addition, a study was
conducted among randomly selected auto rickshaw drivers of Bangalore city which concluded
that the magnitude of stress among Auto-rickshaw drivers was 31.2% which was found to
higher and a need of awareness regarding health promotion, balanced diet, stress management
and counselling and regular medical check-ups among auto-rickshaw drivers need to be looked
into and implemented by Regional Transport Office [8] . On the other hand, one of the surveys
also demonstrates the challenges faced by the auto drivers apart from their personal issues such

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 Falguni Acharya, Jitendra Panchal, Kanan Joshi, Pradyumansinh Raj and Trilok Akhani

as traffic police charging fines (35 percent and 32 percent respectively), passengers and traffic
concerns, lack of parking, lack of permits, and rain [10].
However, this ensuing survey and interpretations will focus on the effects of shut down
during pandemic which might have added to the turmoil faced by the auto-rickshaw drivers.
The primary public transport in India is auto-rickshaw. However, the auto drivers earn only
INR 700 to INR 1000 a day, which turns out to be quite less for proper survival. Perhaps,
savings must have been quite difficult or next to impossible with such low wages. On the
contrary, extra responsibilities such as loans and children’s education are many a times bottle
necks for most of the drivers. This adverse condition was added up due to the sudden epidemic
of COVID-19, which deteriorated the financial state. Hence, this study underlines the
challenges suffered by auto-rickshaw drivers and touching their lives to acquaint readers about
their existence. Moreover, study also add the possibilities such as usage of mobile app for
getting passengers and analyse its effectiveness using Chi2 test on earnings of auto drivers. The
research also includes a Chi2 test investigation of recovery time from the loss bared during
pandemic by the auto drivers and bring their life back to track if any aids are made available to
them from any government or nongovernment agencies. The paper also throws some light on
their mental state and take over it. The required motivation for the survey was provided while
distributing ration to the auto-rickshaw drivers. The interpretations are solely based on the
answers provided by the 200 auto drivers through the questionnaire

2. OBJECTIVE
The study intends to analyse the problems faced by the forgotten fraternity of the auto-rickshaw
drivers during the lock down period. The aim of the study is to discuss various aspects of the
life of autorickshaw drivers during this challenging time, in addition, the analyses also studies
the recovery time of the drivers from the loss with the support of different aids if provided in
accordance with the answers provided by them for the survey. Besides, the analysis also
includes the effectiveness of mobile application towards the earning of auto rickshaw drivers.
The focus is mainly the financial crunch experienced by them during this lockdown period.
How a loss of job has changed their lives financially but subsequently affected their mental,
emotional and physical well-being is also analysed. Through the analyses the authors intend to
draw the attention towards the fact that these forgotten heroes can survive if any government
or non-government agencies join hands to bring them out. And also, some hard facts that
alluring them for using mobile applications wouldn’t be accommodating for getting more
travellers.

3. METHODOLOGY
The enquiry uses the techniques such as descriptive research, data collection using structured
questionnaire and interpretations using Chi2 test.

3.1. Sampling Method And Sample Size

Simple random sampling and 200 autorickshaw drivers from Vadodara city.

3.2. Study Period

March 24, 2020 till May 17, 2020

3.3. Study Tool

Informed consent was obtained and subjects were interviewed using a semi-structured
questionnaire.

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 Analysis of Sustentation of Auto Rickshaw Driver during Covid-19 Lock Down

3.4. Statistical Analysis

The result was presented in terms of frequency and percentages. Data was entered in Microsoft
Excel and analyzed using Chi2 test (chi-squared test for categorical data) [5].

4. DATA ANALYSIS & FINDINGS

In terms of highest education qualification, 114, 69, 13 and 4 of auto-rickshaw drivers have
primary, secondary, higher secondary and Graduation, respectively.

Table 1 Education pursued by auto rickshaw drivers

Education qualification
th
Primary (8 or less than that) 114
Secondary (10th std) 69
Higher Secondary (12th std) 13
Graduation 04
Any other 00
Total 200
Just a tiny minority of them i.e. 23 drivers are unmarried. Irrespective of their education and
marital status on an average they have around 4 family members to feed. On one side 39 of
them struggle with rented auto rickshaws by paying approximately Rs 4,000/- per month while
on the other side nearly half of the total has to cut their pockets by paying a sum of Rs 5,000/-
EMI for auto loans and personal loans. 86 drivers have been into this profession for more than
20 years while just above half of them have experience of 5 to 10 years in the field.

Table 2 Years spent driving auto rickshaw

No of years spent driving auto rickshaw

Less than 5 years 34
5 to 10 years 46
10 to 20 years 26
More than 20 years 84
Total 200
Analysing a data of monthly earning made us encounter only 1 person earning more than
Rs 20,000/- per month while not even a single person has been found earning in the slab of Rs
15,000/- to Rs 20,000/-. Overwhelming majority i.e. 173 drivers manage to earn in the slab of
Rs 5,000/- to Rs 10,000/- per month whereas countable 26 are capable of crossing this bare
minimum slab of earning to reach the range of Rs 10,000/- to 15,000/-. This data is evident
enough to convey the daily struggle of a common man – auto rickshaw driver who have been
working day and night to make the both ends meet.

4.1. Earning’s Analyses

Just 1 out of these 200 have alternate source of earning available but in vain as it was not helpful
in fetching money during lockdown. It is also disappointing to find that majority of the families
are dependent on just 1 person earning while hardly 10 families have 2nd person earning to bare
the expenses of entire family. And in total not even a single person from the taken sample was
able to earn a penny during lockdown.

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 Falguni Acharya, Jitendra Panchal, Kanan Joshi, Pradyumansinh Raj and Trilok Akhani

Figure 1 Monthly savings

71% of rickshaw drivers do not have any forms of savings while only 17.5% have bank
savings being the most popular form of saving among the group. On the contrary saving through
Sukanya Yojna and purchasing gold has been found as the least practiced ways of saving
money.
One more perspective was added to the questionnaire in order to emphasize on improving
the earnings of the auto drivers was use of mobile applications to reach to more passengers.
Hence from the answers we received only 75 out of 200 uses mobile apps for better outreach
from which 70 finds it useful for improving wages while 5 of them didn’t find it that effective.
On the other hand, 123 of 200 doesn’t use any mobile app and are neutral saying they have
proper earning regardless of use of such apps. Lastly, there is least number 2 who are not using
mobile app neither has proper earning by driving rickshaws.

Figure 2 Distribution of auto drivers using mobile Figure 3 Distribution of the 75 users out of 200 on
app out of 200 effectiveness of mobile Applications

4.2. Chi2 test Analysis for usage of mobile application

A proper analysis using the Chi2 test was done for the hypothesis as under:
Null Hypothesis: Reasonable earnings of auto drivers are independent of use of mobile
applications
The two variables chosen for the categorical Chi2 test was reasonable or not reasonable
earning and use of mobile applications. The data was tabulated as under:

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 Analysis of Sustentation of Auto Rickshaw Driver during Covid-19 Lock Down

Table 3 Data

Categories Reasonable earning Not Reasonable earning Total

Using mobile app 70 5 75
Not using app 123 2 125
Total 193 7 200
Below are the calculations put forth for the observed and expected frequencies:

Table 4 Calculations

O: Observed Frequency E: Expected Frequency (O-E) (O-E)^2 (O-E)^2/E

70 72.375 -2.375 5.640625 0.077936
123 120.625 2.375 5.640625 0.046762
5 2.625 2.375 5.640625 2.14881
2 4.375 -2.375 5.640625 1.289286
Calculated χ2 value = 3.562793
Significance level of 5%
Tabulated χ2 value = 3.84
Since,χ2cal < χ2tab . Hence null hypothesis is accepted.
Therefore, from the data collected out of the 200 autorickshaw drivers from Vadodara city,
we can predict that the earnings of the auto drivers are not quite affected by the use of mobile
apps.
However, theoretically when few reasons for the above statement was studied it became
quite evident; for instance, the survey conducted as cited below mentions that an auto rickshaw
driver says he and his fellow drivers at Chakka (some place of Thiruvanathpuram) do not find
being a part of the app useful. “There is a 10 per cent commission taken from us for each ride
and also we cannot charge extra in case the customer’s destination is far off.” [6]

4.3. Recovery aspect’s analyses

Looking at the spreadsheet data of monthly expenses where data was collected in 8 different
categories namely fees of kids, house rent, electricity bill, gas bill, transport expenses, medical
expenses, grocery and other expenses; it has been noticed that expenses for Grocery, around Rs
2839/-, being highest, is three times higher than that of fees paid for education of kids, roughly
Rs 941/- per family, which is almost four times than the medical expenses one family bares i.e.
approximately Rs 737/-. favourable step taken from the side of government during this time
was to provide free grocery to each family. The government, on Thursday 26 March 2020,
announced free distribution of 5 kg food grains per person and 1 kg of pulses per household
under PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana for next three months to 80 crore poor beneficiaries
covered under National food security Act (NFSA) to ensure availability food to poor people
during lockdown due to COVID-19. Under NFSA, the government provides 5 kg of food grains
per person at subsidized rates. It provides rice at Rs 2 a kg, rice at Rs 3 a kg coarse grains like
bajra at Rs 1 a kg. The beneficiaries will get 12 kg of food grains per month for next three
months instead of just 5 kg [7].

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 Falguni Acharya, Jitendra Panchal, Kanan Joshi, Pradyumansinh Raj and Trilok Akhani

200 No income
200
150
100 33
50 No resources (food, gas,
0 0
0 0 electricity, etc…) at home
Series1
Loss of job (your part
time / additional / extra
time job)
Loss of job of your family
member

Figure 4 Biggest negative factor affecting life during lockdown

As an answer to the question of the biggest negative factor affecting during lockdown all of
them strongly mentioned ‘no income’ and in addition to that 33 of them also voted for the
category ‘no resources at home’ like food, gas, electricity, etc… Neither the state government
nor auto rickshaw union offered any economic help to them during this pandemic situation.
However, when asked a question related to the recovery time to the auto drivers 80 out of
200 mentioned that they will be able to recover faster and be back on track within 6 months if
any kind of aid such as financial or household resources is provided to them, whereas 39 of
them said their life will be back to normal with a year if any support is provided while 20 of
them mentioned it would take more than a year or so to be out of this loss with any help from
any government or non-government agencies . On the other hand, owing to some savings or
second person earning 37 told they will be able to revive their life just with 6 months, 14 told
they would take a year and 10 took a choice of more than a year irrespective of any aid provided.

Figure 5 Percentage of individuals against the Figure 6 Percentage of individuals against the
recovery time if aid is provided (taking base as recovery time if aid is not provided (taking base as
139 individuals who opted for aid provided) 61 individuals who opted for aid not provided)

4.4. Chi2 test Analysis for recovery time

A proper analysis using the Chi2 test was done for the hypothesis as under:
Null Hypothesis: Recovery time of auto drivers from the loss during pandemic is
independent of any kind of aid provided.
The two variables chosen for the categorical Chi2 test was recovery time as mentioned in
answers provided through the questionnaire and any kind of aid. The data was tabulated as
under:

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 Analysis of Sustentation of Auto Rickshaw Driver during Covid-19 Lock Down

Table 5 Data

Categories <= 6 months <= a year > a year Total

Aid provided 80 39 20 139
Not provided 37 14 10 61
Total 117 53 30 200
Below are the calculations put forth for the observed and expected frequencies:

Table 6 Calculations

O: Observed Frequency E:Expected Frequency (O-E) (O-E)^2 (O-E)^2/E

80 63.665 16.335 266.8322 4.191192
37 43.335 -6.335 40.13223 0.926093
39 37.485 1.515 2.295225 0.06123
14 25.515 -11.515 132.5952 5.196756
20 17.85 2.15 4.6225 0.258964
10 12.15 -2.15 4.6225 0.380453
Calculated χ2 value = 11.01469
significance level of 5%
Tabulated χ2 value = 5.99
Since,χ2cal > χ2tab . Hence null hypothesis is rejected.
Therefore, from the data collected out of the 200 autorickshaw drivers from Vadodara city,
we can predict that any kind of aid provided to the autorickshaw drivers has significant impact
on the time required to recuperate from the damage caused due to coronavirus shut down.
Data collected also conveys that it had also been helpless situation for all of them, since
zero income, inability to get items of basic necessity like food, no plans to recover the economic
loss, in total would definitely result into pessimistic environment at home.Vast majority i.e.
97% of drivers also accepted that they need someone with whom they can talk about their
problems without sharing their identity. And almost equal number of drivers i.e. 98% have also
stated that this lockdown has resulted into a negative environment at home.

3%

Yes
No

97%

Figure 8 Need someone to talk about the problems without sharing identity

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 Falguni Acharya, Jitendra Panchal, Kanan Joshi, Pradyumansinh Raj and Trilok Akhani

5. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the survey conducted on a random sample of 200 drivers showed various aspects
such as education, liabilities and needs of their lives. It also drew attention on the fact that using
mobile applications are not actually serving the purpose of better earning for these flock.
It was clearly visible that the null hypothesis was accepted and reasonable earnings were
found independent of usage of any mobile applications. Secondly, from the interpretations
using Chi2 test it can be observed that any kind of support economically or through resources
was the most prominent need of auto drivers in this crisis. 40% of them thought help would pull
them out from this vicious circle within 6 months whereas 30% do believed they can stand up
again within a year or more through aids. They were not only overlooked, but enough aid was
also not provided by the government. Auto drivers expected atleast a reasonable amount of
ration for their survival until they start earning again. Thirdly, the study showed that
psychological security was the most prominent need of auto drivers in this crisis. 97% of them
thought to share their stress, and some words of pacification could serve their pale life and
agitated mind in such struggling days of complete shutdown.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors would like to express their gratitude and acknowledge that Social Responsive Cell of
Parul University for distributing grocery kit to 200auto rickshaw drivers. Due to that phase of
distribution the authors were motivated to take up this study.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTEREST

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

REFERENCES
[1] https://www.who.int/news/item/27-04-2020-who-timeline---covid-19
[2] https://time.com/5791661/who-coronavirus-pandemic-declaration/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_lockdown_in_India
[4] https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-squared_test
[6] https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/motoring/jugnoo-app-makes-commuting-
easier/article28344736.ece#!
[7] PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/govt-to-provide-5-kg-grains-1-
kg-pulses-for-free-over-next-3-months-
fm/articleshow/74827003.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_camp
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[8] Amit Kumar Sinha, Shashikala M (2015): ASSESSMENT OF STRESS AMONG AUTO-
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[11] Veena Melwani1, Angelin Priya2*, Manju Toppo1, Soumitra Sethia1, Amreen Khan1, Satish
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