Rise in number of e-rickshaws, autos causing traffic congestion in Amritsar

PK Jaiswar

Amritsar, July 5

It’s official now that the city has currently around 20,000 auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws currently plying on the roads. But city residents feel the actual number of e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws may be much higher than the official figure. The vehicles, though also known as the city’s lifeline, have become a major cause of frequent traffic snarls or chaos on most of the city roads.

In its endeavour to streamline traffic in the holy city and form a data of such rickshaws and their drivers, the traffic police has started a campaign to allot particular numbers along with the mobile number of the driver, which would help the police in their identification and knowing their antecedents.

There has been a sharp rise in the number of battery-operated rickshaws since the day the administration tightened the noose around operators of diesel auto-rickshaws leading to a chaos on roads.

Around four months ago, the police had planned to issue two types of stickers – yellow and red. Yellow sticker would be issued to an e-rickshaw which was driven by its owner. Red sticker would be pasted on an e-rickshaw given on rent. Besides the number allotted by the police, it was also mandatory to paste the mobile number of the driver.

Nevertheless, a large number of auto-rickshaw owners completed the formalities by pasting the stickers allotted by the police, but they did not put up their mobile numbers.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Harpal Singh said around 20,000 stickers had been allotted to e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws so far. The police have maintained their record and mobile numbers also.

Dr Amandeep Singh, a social activist, said with the BRTS bus service lying discontinued for nearly a year now, autos and e-rickshaws were the only option left with for people as far as public transport is concerned.

“No doubt, auto rides are cheap, but their presence on city roads in a large number has led to dismal traffic scenario. Until the government provides an alternate mode of transport to people, these will stay on roads and the police would have to face difficulty in streamlining traffic,” he said.