Left Parties Rally Against Bihar's E-Rickshaw Ban on Highways
Left political parties in Patna expressed serious concerns on Sunday regarding the state transport department's recent order. This order prohibits e-rickshaws and makeshift 'jugaad' vehicles from operating on Bihar's state and national highways.
CPI(ML) Announces Trade Union Action
Kunal, the state secretary of CPI(ML), declared that his party's trade union wing would actively oppose the ban. "We have associations representing these drivers," he stated. "They will convene to determine the appropriate action to demand a reversal of this order." Kunal emphasized that the party plans to organize statewide protests. He argued that the livelihoods of thousands of impoverished families depend entirely on these vehicles.
CPM Leader Criticizes Government's Approach
Senior CPM leader Arun Kumar Mishra echoed these sentiments. He criticized the government for not establishing designated corridors for such vehicles on the highways before implementing the ban. "Our associations will soon launch protests across the entire state," Mishra confirmed, aligning with the CPI(ML)'s stance.
Impact on Drivers' Livelihoods
The leaders highlighted a critical point. Many drivers use these vehicles for very short distances, often around 8 kilometers. They typically travel between small marketplaces located along these major roads. The new order would severely disrupt their daily earnings and economic survival.
The Scale of Highways and Vehicles in Bihar
Bihar possesses an extensive network of highways:
- Approximately 10,000 kilometers of state and national highways combined.
- This includes 3,617 kilometers of state highways.
- It also encompasses 6,389 kilometers of national highways.
While the exact number of e-rickshaws currently operating on these specific roads remains unclear, the total estimated number of e-rickshaws in Bihar is substantial. Statewide figures suggest there are around nine lakh (900,000) such vehicles.
The political opposition is now mobilizing, setting the stage for potential confrontations over this transport policy. The coming days will reveal whether the government engages with these concerns or faces organized resistance from driver associations and leftist parties.
