The cycle-rickshaw drivers have said that theirbusiness is thriving due to the substantial increase in fuel prices inSittwe township,the capital city of RakhineState.

Before the conflict resumed in theRakhine region,the cost of 92 RON gasoline was MMK 2,200 per litre in Sittwelocality. But after the conflict, prices surgedto MMK 30,000 per litreas on 9 December.

Consequently, a decline isobserved in the number of engine driven three-wheelers,auto rickshaws (locally known as tuk-tuk), and motorbike sidecar drivers acrossthe city. Withthe rise in fuel prices, the fareshave been increased andhence many people start using cycle-rickshaws.

"There is a significant increase in thenumber of cycle-rickshaw users.It can be saidthat relying on cycle-rickshaws latelybecomesa good business now,"said U Aung KyawSein, a cycle-rickshaw driver.

Usually cycle-rickshaw driversearn MMK 5,000 to 8,000 perday. But now they can earn fromMMK 10,000 to 15,000 everyday.

"As thecycle-rickshaw takes time to arrive at a destination, a fewpeople hired the cycle-rickshaws. But now more people start preferring thecycle-rickshaws as it’s cheaper. If one hires a tuk-tuk, theminimum rent will be MMK 5,000. However,the cycle-rickshaw fare is stillreasonable,” saidU Aung San Thar, another cycle-rickshaw driver.

But because of the currentincrease in prices of essential commoditiesin Sittwe, the cycle-rickshawdrivers have to struggleto arrange two meals a day for their families, headded.

Earlier, most of the cycle-rickshawriders used to carry goods fromSittwe Myoma market.

Since 13 November,when the gun fighting resumedin Rakhine State, the militarycouncil imposedblockades on both land and waterways across the region. Thisled to a situation of fuel shortages asthe transportation of fuel is also restricted.

Latey, the number ofbicycle users has also increased in various Rakhine townshipsinincluding Sittwe.