OUR CORRESPONDENT
TEZPUR: The historic town of Tezpur is grappling with mounting traffic chaos, largely attributed to the unchecked proliferation of e-rickshaws operating without proper regulation. Once hailed as an eco-friendly solution to urban transport, e-rickshaws have now become a growing concern for commuters, residents, and officials alike.
Over the past few years, the number of e-rickshaws on Tezpur’s roads has surged dramatically. However, in the absence of adequate regulation and enforcement, this increase has brought with it a slew of problems ranging from frequent traffic jams to serious road accidents. According to local reports, several mishaps involving e-rickshaws have resulted in injuries and even fatalities, with underage and untrained drivers at the helm in many cases.
Residents allege that the district administration, traffic police, and the transport department have turned a blind eye to the issue, allowing e-rickshaws to operate freely and chaotically. These vehicles often congregate at key junctions, markets, and busy squares flouting traffic norms and obstructing the smooth movement of other vehicles. Many operate without permits, licenses, or proper route assignments, creating disorder on both narrow lanes and arterial roads.
Adding to the concerns is the issue of speed and manoeuvrability. E-rickshaws, which typically travel at a maximum speed of 25–30 km/h, slow down overall traffic movement, especially during peak hours. Their erratic movement and sudden stops to pick up passengers only compound the disruption, frequently resulting in near-misses and collisions.
A critical safety concern also lies in the widespread use of minors as drivers. Without any formal training or licensing, these young operators pose a direct threat to pedestrian safety and contribute to the high rate of road incidents in the town. Despite repeated complaints, enforcement remains lax, and violators continue to go unchecked.
Speaking on the growing concerns surrounding e-rickshaw operations in Tezpur, Sonitpur District Transport Officer (DTO) AK Barua acknowledged that regulating the sector has become a significant challenge for the administration.
“We estimate that over 4,000 e-rickshaws are currently plying in Tezpur and its surrounding areas, with the total number across Sonitpur district exceeding 8,000,” Barua stated. “Many of these vehicles are unregistered, and unlike other commercial vehicles, they operate without route permits, making enforcement difficult.” An additional problem arises from the mushrooming of unauthorized charging stations. Many e-rickshaw owners are reportedly using domestic electricity lines or illegally tapping into power poles to charge their batteries, creating a potential hazard. Experts warn that this practice could lead to electrical fires or battery explosions, especially during the summer months when load on the power grid is high.
The situation has prompted calls from the public and civic bodies for urgent intervention. Citizens argue that e-rickshaw drivers should be required to hold valid commercial driving licenses, and vehicles must be limited to pre-approved routes with designated stops. Many are also advocating for a city-wide survey to document and regularize the existing e-rickshaw fleet, along with stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
Senior citizen and social activist Kamada Prasad Choudhury expressed deep concern over the worsening traffic scenario in Tezpur, stating that the unregulated proliferation of e-rickshaws had become a serious threat to urban mobility and public safety. “In the absence of a structured policy framework and coordinated enforcement, Tezpur is heading toward a traffic management breakdown,” he said.
Choudhury stressed the urgent need for the district administration and transport department to formulate and implement a clear regulatory policy, which must include route demarcation, mandatory training and licensing of drivers, periodic safety inspections, and strict checks on illegal charging practices.
“If firm and sustainable measures are not implemented soon, what started as a step toward green mobility will instead become a burden on urban governance and public safety. It’s high time the authorities acted decisively,” Choudhury said.
Also Read:
Also Watch:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Q9jBlxl47c?si=ZM2IdKFJc0Dt4LCc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>