Tinsukia District Authority Tightens Noose on E-Rickshaws

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: With the number of e-rickshaws plying in Tinsukia town increasing rapidly and all arterial roads witnessing heavy traffic congestion, the Tinsukia district authority has adopted strict measures to regulate e-rickshaws in the town. The DTO Tinsukia, Arun Borah said the e-rickshaws would have to comply with all statutory conditions set by the transport department and the government. While registration of vehicle has been made mandatory, the department will allow plying on specific and designated road permit. Though assembled e-rickshaws with Chinese components have flooded the market, Borah asserted that only Indian made e-rickshaws as per government guidelines would be permitted to register while action would be initiated for others in due course of time.

It has been observed that the errant and defiant auto and e-rickshaw drivers often create law-and-order problems when confronted with enforcement agencies. With limited transport staff, it becomes impossible for transport department to manage the situation without police support.

Dipak Tamuli, the newly-joined officer-in-charge of Tinsukia Sadar police station, said that the e-rickshaws had become a traffic menace in Tinsukia town as they do not conform to minimum road regulation resulting in serious traffic hazards. He observed that it was the responsibility of the transport department to tighten screws around errant e-rickshaws and police enforcement had been provided to the department as and when requested. He assured to support any initiative to make Tinsukia roads hassle-free on the eve of Durga Puja festival. Once streamlined, it would be a permanent solution for Tinsukia, Tamuli observed.

After the transport department started stringent measures, the e-rickshaw owners observed a day strike on Monday in protest against enforcement of registration and licencing procedures. Though commuters faced some inconvenience, car owners and general public heaved a sigh of relief as traffic chaos was much less on today. The government has attempted to solve the unemployment problem through e-rickshaws, but it has been reported that most of the e-rickshaws are plying on rental basis flouting all norms.