Jaipur Government Rolls Out New E-Rickshaw Zones Despite Tepid Response
The state government of Rajasthan officially launched three new designated e-rickshaw zones in Jaipur on Friday, marking a significant step in the city's urban transport restructuring. The newly operational zones cover North Jaipur, Central Jaipur, and the critical areas surrounding the Jaipur Junction railway station.
Application Numbers Fall Short of Expectations
Despite the launch, the initiative has been met with a notably disappointing response from e-rickshaw owners and drivers. Official data reveals a stark gap between proposed allotments and actual applications. Out of a total of 8,200 proposed allotments across these three zones, the traffic wing received a mere 1,405 applications.
All applications were successfully allotted in the following zones:
- Zone 1: Central Jaipur
- Zone 5: North Jaipur
- Zone 6: The Chandpole Gate to Jaipur Junction railway station stretch
Authorities reported that application numbers showed little to no improvement even after the initial deadline was extended to January 31, indicating a persistent reluctance among operators.
Remaining Zones to be Completed by Mid-February
An official stated that the process for the remaining three proposed zones is now underway. "We have started receiving applications for the remaining three proposed zones—Zone 2 covering West Jaipur, Zone 3 covering South Jaipur, and Zone 4 covering East Jaipur," the official confirmed.
A lottery system for allotments in these zones is scheduled for February 13, with the official rollout set for February 14. This will complete the comprehensive seven-zone segregation plan for e-rickshaw operations in the Pink City.
Strict Enforcement and Operational Guidelines
Earlier, Zone 7, which covers the historic Walled City area, was successfully implemented. This zone operates with 50 e-rickshaws and five designated routes, labeled 7A through 7E.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sumeet Meharda emphasized the enforcement aspect of the new system. He clarified that the total number of allotments will now align with the number of registered e-rickshaws in Jaipur. "Vehicles operating without a zone allotment after February 14 will be seized," DCP Meharda warned.
He further laid down strict operational rules, stating, "E-rickshaws must operate only within their allotted zones and cannot move between zones." This regulation aims to streamline traffic flow, reduce congestion, and ensure orderly public transport operations across different sectors of the city.
The launch of these zones represents a critical phase in Jaipur's efforts to modernize and regulate its last-mile connectivity, despite the initial challenges in driver participation. The success of this structured approach will be closely monitored as the remaining zones become operational next month.
