In ever worsening traffic of the city, e-rickshaws have become a common site and are often blamed for traffic congestion. The e-rickshaws have almost replaced pedal-rickshaws of old times and have emerged as cheaper alternative to duopoly of auto-rickshaws and cab services for common citizen. They have also come as a boon for erstwhile pedal-rickshaw pullers who are now earning more with reduced physical strain. But, it has all come with new challenges. Rahul Gautam, a resident of expressed his anguish over the lack of discipline and traffic sense among e-rickshaw drivers. Gaur said, “The e-rickshaws seem to have no sense of traffic rules, they roam wherever they feel like, jump the traffic signals at will, often are overloaded with people and goods, and move at snail pace causing traffic to stuck behind them.” Same sentiment is resonated by various other citizens. While responding to the claims, Rahul Gaur, an e-rickshaw driver who operate in Mahal and Itwari market areas, said that it’s because of the large numbers that of e-rickshaws become centre of attention during traffic congestion’s.

 

He said, “With continuously increasing number of people, vehicles and pedestrians in city, there will be traffic congestion. It was there even when e-rickshaws didn’t exist. Cars, bikes and even city buses cause the traffic congestion, but bright colors and sheer number of e-rickshaws in markets make them center of attraction.” Gaur, however, brings to notice another important fact that the e-rickshaws have generated employment for a large number of unemployed, uneducated and unskilled workers and erstwhile pedal-rickshaw pullers. Sanjay Bamrele, an e-rickshaw driver in Kamal Square area for last four years testified to the benefits of e-rickshaws. He had been pulling pedal-rickshaw for 16 years before switching to electric option in 2020 after the pandemic. “Since the switch, I have started earning more, my standard of living has improved, physical strain has reduced, and I have mental peace,” said Bamrele. He added, “Earlier, there was a limit to passengers and distance I could cover, capping my earning potential. E-rickshaw, however, has removed that cap and now I can earn more without hampering my health.” The e-rickshaw industry has come as a challenge to traditional auto-rickshaws.

 

They feel cheated by authorities as they accuse the authorities of having double standards while dealing with autos and e-rickshaws. Shahabuddin, an auto-rickshaw driver from Mominpura, said, “Auto-rickshaws have to maintain all documents, insurance, fitness certificate, and dress code. We get heavily fined if we dont have a single one of them. But e-rickshaws have no such compulsion.” He also cited lack of action on part of authorities with regard to the traffic menace caused by e-rickshaws. “No action is taken against the e-rickshaw even if it violates traffic rules and that has encouraged the e-rickshaw drivers. They even disturb bargaining with commuters of auto-rickshaws which cause a fight between both the parties quite regularly,” he added. Call it a menace or a nuisance, e-rickshaw is a reality of time and it is here to stay. Authorities need to pay close attention to regulation and finalise some policies, allocate proper parking spaces like auto-rickshaws, regulate number of e-rickshaws that can operate in an area - especially heavily congested areas like markets, and make life easy for all citizens and e-rickshaw drivers as well.