Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 29: Thousands of e-rickshaw and e-auto operators staged a massive protest demonstration, here today, registering strong resentment over the recent route restrictions imposed by the administration and the subsequent challaning drive carried out by the Traffic Police.
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The protest, which led to significant disruption in e-rickshaw and e-auto operations across the city, saw agitating operators raising slogans against the Traffic Police and the Transport Department. The protesters claimed that despite repeated assurances from senior officials – including the Transport Commissioner, SSP Traffic Jammu, RTO Jammu, and SP Traffic Jammu – the enforcement action began prematurely, even before the agreed compliance deadline of July 31.
“They had assured us that action would be taken only after July 31, giving us time to streamline operations, but challans and vehicle seizures have already started. This is nothing but betrayal,” said one protestor.
The protestors said that a recent directive issued by the Traffic Police City Jammu restricted the movement of e-rickshaws, e-autos, and e-carts to designated routes, completely barring their entry onto National and State Highways. Operators claimed this sudden enforcement had severely impacted their daily earnings, as many routes vital for passenger pickups were now out of bounds.
Adding to their woes, the protestors pointed out that no structured permit system currently exists for e-rickshaws and e-autos, yet penalties are being imposed on alleged permit violations. They also criticized the authorities for not considering the ground realities while enforcing the restrictions, arguing that e-rickshaws and e-autos serve as vital links for last-mile connectivity in urban and semi-urban areas.
The protest continued for several hours. However, the protesters finally dispersed peacefully after a senior officer from the Traffic Police arrived at the site and assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to higher authorities and that no undue action would be taken before the deadline.
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