Hundreds of e-rickshaw drivers in Jaipur took to the streets on Thursday, staging a significant protest against a recent traffic ban that they say has plunged their families into financial crisis. The demonstration, organized by the E-rickshaw Welfare Association, unfolded in the Brahmpuri area and lasted for two hours.
Protest Against Peak Season Ban
The core issue driving the protest is a directive from the traffic police that prohibits e-rickshaws from entering the historic Walled City area between 9 am and 8 pm. This ban is effective from December 20 to January 10, a period chosen by authorities to manage expected traffic congestion during the peak tourist season. However, the drivers argue that the measure is deeply unfair and ineffective.
Protesters, who sat in demonstration from 11 am to 1 pm, stated that the sudden ban has cut off their primary source of income, jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on these electric vehicles. They highlighted a critical contradiction in the policy's execution.
Unchanged Congestion, Worsened Pollution
A major point of contention raised by the association is that while e-rickshaws have been barred, petrol and diesel-run auto-rickshaws continue to operate freely in the same zone. The drivers allege that this has done nothing to alleviate the traffic congestion the ban was meant to address. Instead, they claim it has potentially worsened air pollution by allowing more fossil fuel-powered vehicles to ply, while removing the cleaner electric alternatives.
The protest was not limited to the seasonal ban. Drivers also voiced serious grievances regarding vehicle registration and what they describe as arbitrary enforcement by traffic police.
Registration Hurdles and Arbitrary Fines
According to the E-rickshaw Welfare Association, the transport department has halted the registration of e-rickshaws under the RJ-14 EP and EQ series. Simultaneously, traffic police are reportedly issuing heavy fines even to drivers of the RJ-60 EP series vehicles. The drivers insist that they are being penalized despite possessing all valid documents, calling the fines unjust and a form of harassment.
In light of these issues, the association presented clear demands to the authorities. They are calling for:
- The immediate revocation of the ban on e-rickshaws in the Walled City.
- A stop to the imposition of heavy fines on drivers who have all their papers in order.
Threat of Escalated Action
Ashok Narwariya, the general secretary of the association, revealed that a crucial meeting has been scheduled for Friday at 11 am. This meeting will include the DCP traffic, the traffic commissioner, and district authorities. Narwariya issued a stern warning, stating that if the meeting fails to yield a concrete and favorable outcome, the drivers will seek permission to launch a much larger protest next week.
"If no concrete outcome emerges from the meeting, we will seek permission and launch a large-scale protest next week," Narwariya said. He estimated that around 40,000 to 45,000 e-rickshaw drivers from across Jaipur would gather near the Walled City area for this intensified demonstration, signaling a significant escalation if their concerns are not addressed promptly.
The situation remains tense as the city administration prepares for the Friday meeting, which could determine whether Jaipur sees a return to normalcy or faces a major transport disruption in the coming days.
