Srinagar, Nov 22,: The decision of the Regional Transport Office Kashmir to prohibit e-rickshaws on two major corridors of Srinagar has drawn sharp criticism from locals, who say the move unfairly targets the poor and deprives commuters of the most affordable mode of transport.
According to the government order, e-rickshaws have been barred from operating on Maulana Azad Road from Jehangir Chowk to JK Bank Headquarters and Residency Road from Hari Singh High Street to JK Bank Headquarters. The stretches are among the busiest urban routes in the city.
The news agency Kashmir News Trust talked to dozens of people who said that e-rickshaws are tiny, low-capacity vehicles that do not obstruct traffic and therefore cannot be blamed for congestion on the city’s prime roads. They said the order punishes drivers who come from economically weaker backgrounds and rely entirely on daily earnings.
They said e-rickshaws have become the most affordable option for students, daily wagers and low-income families, and the ban has made mobility more difficult for those who depend on short-distance transport.
Following the restrictions, autorickshaw drivers have allegedly begun charging arbitrary fares, as autos in Srinagar function without meters. Locals said the absence of e-rickshaws has emboldened auto operators to demand rates at will, leaving passengers with no alternative.
They criticised the mentality behind the decision, saying authorities should support economical and eco-friendly transport instead of curbing it. They demanded that the RTO revoke the ban immediately and adopt measures that protect both commuters and poor drivers. [KNT]
