Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 21: To protest against the administration’s revised fare structures and mandatory installation of fare meters the e-auto and e-rickshaw drivers staged a massive demonstration, here today.
The protest was organized by local bodies including the SMVD E-Rickshaw & E-Auto Union under the presidentship of Gourav Kapoor.
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They blocked traffic and rallied at prominent city locations like Green Belt Park and Bikram Chowk to demand a rollback of the fare policies.
Addressing to the drivers, Gourav Kapoor said, “The current per-kilometer fare policies drastically reduce their daily earnings and make it impossible to sustain their livelihoods.”
“The decision by the Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department to fix e-rickshaw fares at Rs 10 per kilometre per vehicle or Rs 2.50 per kilometre per passenger is not acceptable to us as it has sparked discontent among rickshaw drivers,” he said.
The drivers argue that the rates are inadequate to sustain their livelihoods, particularly amidst escalating inflation and rising operational costs.
“Drivers are frustrated with the requirement to install fare meters, arguing that these should be adjusted to reflect practical, higher per-person rates before enforcement,” they added.
The drivers have called on the Government to reconsider the fare structure and introduce rates that better reflect their financial struggles.
Later, a deputation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi E-Rickshaw and E-Auto Union called on J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma.
During the interaction, the Union members expressed serious concerns regarding the fare structure and operational policies imposed on e-rickshaw and e-auto operators in Jammu city.
Listening patiently to the deputation, Sat Sharma assured the Union members that the BJP would take up their concerns with the appropriate authorities and make every possible effort for an early and just resolution of their issues.
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