The E-Rickshaw Conundrum: Licensing, Debt, and Exploitation in India’s Urban Transport Ecosystem The e-rickshaw sector in India, a vital component of urban mobility, mirrors the exploitative dynamics observed in the railway porter system. At India’s busiest urban centers, such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, tightly controlled e-rickshaw licenses, coupled with high purchase costs (₹1–2 lakhs, exacerbated by taxes like 5–12% GST), create a black market where permits are traded at premiums (₹50,000–₹1 lakh). Drivers, often from marginalized communities, rely on informal lenders charging usurious interest rates (24–100% annually), trapping them in debt cycles. A nexus of local authorities, police, and lenders profits, while drivers charge high fares (₹20–50 per km) to offset costs, alienating passengers. Despite India’s labor surplus, license restrictions and gatekeeping inflate costs, perpetuating economic inequity. This essay explores these dynamics across 10 high-traffic urban areas, ...