Mushrooming of e-rickshaws contributes to traffic jams in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 19: Srinagar city is witnessing a mushrooming growth of E-rickshaws, adding to the traffic woes across the city, giving a tough time to the commuters.

These E-rickshaws are plying on roads without any registration and often minors are seen driving these three-wheelers.

As a policy in vogue, the concerned authorities have not made registration of these battery-operated vehicles mandatory for plying on roads. But the dealers are registered with the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) and are providing these battery-operated vehicles to people.

In view of the relaxation from the authorities, Srinagar city is witnessing the mushrooming growth of these e-rickshaws plying on roads without any regulations.

Even if the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has designated specific routes for these e-rickshaws, the battery-operated vehicles ply haphazardly in the city, adding to traffic woes in the city.

According to officials, these battery-operated three-wheelers are given as an incentive without providing any road permit and registration.

"The dealer of these vehicles is registered with the department and has got permission to provide these three-wheelers to those interested in purchasing it," an official of the Transport department told Greater Kashmir.

He, however, said the RTA has already allotted the routes to these battery-operated e-rickshaws within the city.

"RTA regulates the route plan of these e-rickshaws. The committee is headed bythe  deputy commissioner of Srinagar," he said.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan when contacted, said the department is mulling to create color-coded zones for these e-rickshaws and will be strictly asked to ply on the designated routes.

"These three-wheelers cannot go beyond five kilometers of distance, and there are safety issues with these vehicles as well," RTO Kashmir told Greater Kashmir.

He, however, said e-rickshaws are more preferred by people than other modes of transport.

"So keeping in view the convenience of the public, we will streamline the operation of these three-wheelers so that their movement does not create any traffic issues," he said.

Meanwhile, an official said the operation of e-rickshaws was discussed in the last meeting chaired to deliberate decongestion of the city. "The government will notify the no-entry zones for e-rickshaws," the official said.

Meanwhile, about the complaints of minors driving e-rickshaws, RTO Kashmir said a driving license is mandatory for all those driving three-wheelers including e-rickshaws operating on a 300-volt battery or more.

"If we find anyone driving an e-rickshaw without a license, we issue a challan or seize the vehicle," he said.

RTO Kashmir said the authorities are aware of the traffic issue and it will be streamlined very soon. "We will ensure hassle-free and seamless traffic movement in the city," he said.

He said public transport can be successful only if it is hassle-free and needs to be integrated.

"It needs proper planning to keep the public transport integrated. We are moving in that direction because the present circumstances force us for these reforms," he said.

He said the district administration of Srinagar and the transport department are also working towards streamlining the traffic movement in the city.