Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 28: The zonal regulation system for electric three-wheelers, including e-rickshaws, e-autos and e-carts, will come into force in Jammu district from tomorrow, but the decision has triggered strong resentment among operators as well as commuters. Drivers term the move “impractical” and “anti-people,” warning that it will severely affect their livelihood and inconvenience passengers.
Click here to watch video
As per the new framework issued by authorities, all electric three-wheelers must operate strictly within designated zones, which have been colour-coded for identification. Zone 1 (South Jammu) will be Pink, Zone 2 (North Jammu) Blue, Zone 3 (Akhnoor) Yellow, Zone 4 (R.S. Pura) Red, Zone 5 (Marh) Green and Zone 6 (Nagrota) Black. Any movement of vehicles beyond their respective zones will be prohibited.
Officials have also barred these vehicles from using flyovers, national highways and state highways within district limits, citing road safety and traffic management reasons. However, drivers argue that the restrictions will only push them into financial distress. “We are poor people working day and night to feed our families. Decisions like this are taken while sitting in AC rooms without understanding ground realities. Authorities should visit the field before imposing such harsh rules,” said Kuldeep Kumar, an e-auto driver.
Another operator, who recently shifted from a conventional auto to an e-auto after taking a bank loan, said he is now worried about repaying EMIs. “I pay Rs 10,000 every month. Who will bear this burden if we are not allowed to work freely? These restrictions must be rolled back as they harm both drivers and passengers,” he said.
Drivers insisted that dividing a comparatively smaller city like Jammu into six separate zones makes no practical sense. Some even expressed anguish that their right to livelihood was being curtailed. “By limiting our movement, they are snatching our bread and butter. If they don’t want poor people like us to survive, they should openly say so,” said another e-rickshaw driver emotionally.
Commuters also feel the move will complicate travel, especially on longer routes. “A passenger travelling from Old City to the Airport may have to change multiple autos,” said a driver, stressing that the rule serves neither economic nor public convenience.
The operators have appealed to the administration to reconsider the decision and frame policies that support sustainable transportation without jeopardizing livelihoods.
The post E-auto, e-rickshaw operators oppose zonal restrictions, call move ‘anti-people’ appeared first on Daily Excelsior.