Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The first day of banning e-rickshaws on key VIP routes witnessed protest and outrage by the drivers at several spots in the city. The e-rickshaw drivers while protesting the ban said that it would affect their livelihoods as they get most of the passengers on the banned routes.
A group of over 400 e-rickshaw drivers gathered at Roshanpura Crossing on Wednesday demanding to remove the ban on movement of e-rickshaws on VIP routes. However, they did not demand lifting the ban on ferrying schoolchildren.
Congress workers under senior leader and former minister PC Sharma also joined the protests and supported the demand of e-rickshaw drivers. Congress warned of a movement if demands of the drivers were not addressed soon.
Sharma said banning them would affect livelihoods of hundreds of e-rickshaw drivers and their families. The traffic police have banned e-rickshaws across several prominent VVIP routes of the city to enhance public safety and streamline traffic movement. The decision is in compliance with District Road Safety Committee’s June 27 recommendations and aims to address congestion concerns.
The banned routes include Raj Bhavan to Polytechnic Crossing, Polytechnic Crossing to State Hangar, Boat Club area, Hamidia Road - from Alpana to Bhopal Talkies, Apex Bank to Roshanpura, Link Road 1 – from Board Office Square to Apex Ban, Katju Hospital Tiraaha to Rangmahal Tiraaha, Vande Mataram to 10 Number Stop, 10 Number Stop to National Hospital,10 Number to 10½ Number, Centre Point to Roshanpura and GG Flyover.
College students express shock
A group of girl students of MLB College travelling in e-rickshaw expressed shock when traffic cops intercepted it at Polytechnic Crossing on Wednesday and the driver was told about the ban on certain routes. A student from Jehangirabad area said that she would now have to take a longer route - either from Roshanpura or arch bridge to reach college.
Housewife Anita said that e-rickshaw was the cheapest conveyance to reach Boat Club. People using public transport will now face difficulties reaching there. Citizens using public transport also expressed shock as it will affect their daily routine.
Meeting with police officials
A delegation of e-rickshaw drivers comprising 50 members held a meeting with traffic police officials in the afternoon demanding to lift ban on some routes. ACP Traffic Ajay Vajpayee said the e-rickshaw drivers were told that this was not a restriction but a step to streamline the traffic movement. The drivers while approving with the plan have stressed on lifting the ban on Link Road-1, a route where they ferry most passengers.
Any decision on their demands will be taken by the committee formed for streamlining the traffic movement, ACP said. E-rickshaw drivers will be stopped on the banned routes and will be informed about the restrictions for a week and after that they will be penalised for the violations, he added.
