Jammu, 29 July (H.S.): A large number of e-rickshaw and e-auto operators today staged a protest demonstration at Bikram Chowk, here against the crackdown by the traffic police, which included seizure of several e-rickshaws and issuance of challans. The protest caused major disruption to traffic movement, especially the plying of e-buses, as the agitating operators blocked their way in retaliation.

The protesters raised slogans against the traffic police, alleging selective and unjustified enforcement. They claimed that traffic officials were penalizing them on the grounds of permits, despite the fact that there is currently no specific permit system in place for e-rickshaws and e-autos in the region.

The protestors further alleged that despite ongoing discussions with senior officials, including the Transport Commissioner, SSP Traffic Jammu, RTO Jammu, and SP Traffic Jammu, who had reportedly granted them time till July 31 to comply with the new route guidelines, the traffic police had already begun issuing challans prematurely.

A few days ago, the Traffic Police City Jammu had issued a public notice directing owners and operators of e-rickshaws, e-autos, and e-carts in the district to restrict their movement to only notified routes and avoid National and State Highways. This move, the authorities said, was aimed at ensuring road safety and decongestion.

Reacting to the protest, a senior traffic police officer stated that the enforcement drive was launched after operators failed to adhere to the given directives. “E-rickshaws were introduced primarily for last-mile connectivity, not for plying on highways,” he said. “We had allowed a two-day grace period for compliance, and now we are strictly implementing the Motor Vehicles Act.”

The officer reiterated that the department is acting within the legal framework to maintain order and ensure safe and smooth traffic flow, even as tensions between authorities and e-vehicle operators continue to simmer.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar