Reported by Avik Chakraborty
Dibrugarh: The unchecked rise of unregulated electric three-wheelers in Assam’s Dibrugarh has triggered growing public outrage, with residents alleging that the historic town is gradually descending into traffic chaos due to administrative negligence and the absence of a concrete urban transport policy.
From busy marketplaces to key road intersections, unauthorized “Tom-Tom” and “Gogo” vehicles have reportedly flooded the streets, creating severe congestion and disrupting normal traffic movement across the town.
Citizens have raised concerns over how such a large number of vehicles continue to operate openly despite alleged violations of transport and traffic regulations.
Raising the issue, Dibrugarh youth leader Ujjal Kashyap accused the district transport authorities and traffic police of failing to control the mushrooming growth of unlicensed three-wheelers. He alleged that many operators lack basic driving discipline and traffic awareness, while several vehicles are reportedly operating without proper permits or adequate knowledge of road safety norms.
According to Kashyap, the uncontrolled expansion of electric three-wheelers has already begun affecting the town’s overall traffic system, particularly in the heart of Dibrugarh, where roads remain congested throughout the day. He warned that if immediate corrective measures are not taken, the situation could soon spiral out of control.
Adding to public concern is the visible condition of many of these vehicles. Several three-wheelers seen plying across the town reportedly have damaged body panels, broken glass, faded paintwork, and other visible mechanical defects, raising serious safety concerns among commuters and pedestrians alike.
Residents have also pointed to another long-standing civic issue, the absence of a permanent and designated parking or holding zone for three-wheelers in the town. In the absence of any structured system, vehicles are frequently parked along major roads, narrow lanes, and busy intersections, worsening congestion and obstructing free vehicular movement.
Commuters allege that traffic bottlenecks caused by random parking and roadside waiting of three-wheelers have become a daily ordeal, particularly during peak hours.
The lack of coordination among transport authorities, municipal bodies, and traffic enforcement agencies has further intensified the crisis.
Drawing a comparison with the sudden boom and collapse of the once-thriving PCO business, Kashyap remarked that Dibrugarh now appears to be witnessing a similar uncontrolled expansion of electric three-wheelers without any long-term planning or regulation.
He also expressed concern over the rapid entry of newer electric vehicle brands into the local market, warning that unchecked commercialization without regulatory oversight could create serious public safety and traffic management challenges in the near future.
The growing crisis has raised larger questions about civic accountability. Citizens and urban observers are demanding to know why no authority has yet established a fixed and scientifically planned space for three-wheelers despite the issue persisting for years.
As Dibrugarh continues its push toward modernization while preserving its historic identity, residents have called for immediate intervention from the district administration.
Calls are growing for strict licensing verification, enforcement drives, designated parking infrastructure, and a comprehensive traffic management plan to restore order on the town’s increasingly chaotic roads.