Srinagar: The decision by the Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department to fix e-rickshaw fares at Rs 10 per kilometer per vehicle or Rs 2.50 per kilometer per passenger has sparked discontent among rickshaw drivers.
The rickshaw drivers said that the rates are inadequate to sustain their livelihoods, especially in the face of escalating inflation and rising operational costs.
Rickshaw drivers across the city expressed frustration, calling the fixed fare structure “unfair and impractical.” Many claim that the current rates fail to account for the increasing expenses they face, including vehicle maintenance, battery replacement, and daily household needs.
“With these rates, we can barely make ends meet,” said Ghulam Nabi, a 45-year-old e-rickshaw driver from Srinagar. “The cost of living is skyrocketing. Even basic necessities like food and fuel are getting more expensive every day. How are we supposed to survive on such low earnings?”
Drivers highlighted that operating an e-rickshaw comes with significant costs, including regular maintenance and the high price of spare parts. “A battery replacement alone costs tens of thousands of rupees, and it doesn’t last forever,” said Asif Ahmad, another driver. “At these rates, we can’t save anything for such expenses.”
Drivers also pointed out that inflation has severely impacted their household budgets. “Everything, from cooking gas to vegetables, has become more expensive. We barely have enough left for our families after a day’s work,” said Shabir Khan, a father of three.
The drivers urged the government to reconsider the fare structure and introduce rates that reflect the realities of their financial struggles. [KNT]
