Is Congress Right to Oppose E-rickshaw Restrictions in Bhopal?

Bhopal, July 23 (NationPress) The order from Bhopal District Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh prohibiting E-rickshaws on certain city routes has ignited controversy, with the opposition party, Congress, labeling it an "unjust" decision that threatens the livelihoods of numerous families.

Following extensive discussions with senior administrative officials and Lok Sabha MP Alok Sharma, the collector decided to implement a ban on E-rickshaws in two phases.

The initial order on July 19 was aimed at prohibiting the use of E-rickshaws for transporting school children due to safety concerns. Just two days later, the collector extended the ban to include certain routes across the city. The Bhopal district administration's directives took effect on a Monday; however, reports noted that several E-rickshaws continued to transport school children until Wednesday.

In response, approximately 500 E-rickshaw operators gathered at a prominent city square to protest the ban. While they accepted the prohibition on carrying school children, they opposed the broader restrictions.

Congress members joined the demonstration, expressing solidarity with the E-rickshaw drivers.

They warned that significant protests would ensue if the district administration did not retract its order promptly.

Senior Congress figure and former minister P. C. Sharma participated in the protest, advocating for the reopening of restricted routes for E-rickshaws.

He stated, "While the ban on transporting school children is a positive step, the overall prohibition is arbitrary and detrimental to the livelihoods of hundreds of families in Bhopal."

The affected routes include: from Raj Bhavan to Polytechnic Crossing, from Polytechnic Crossing to State Hangar, the Boat Club area, and Hamidia Road.

Other affected roads include those connecting Alpana to Bhopal Talkies, from Apex Bank to Roshanpura, and Link Road 1.

Additionally, routes from Board Office Square to Apex Bank, from Katju Hospital Tiraaha to Rangmahal Tiraaha, Vande Mataram to 10 Number Stop, and from 10 Number Stop to National Hospital, among others, are affected.

A police officer present at the protest informed IANS that many E-rickshaws are operated by untrained and often teenage drivers, contributing to safety concerns, especially when transporting children.

According to the Bhopal police, approximately 12,500 E-rickshaws are currently registered in the city. Despite lacking official school affiliations, many parents rely on these battery-operated vehicles to transport their children to school.