No smoke, no sound, no pollution. These are the characteristics of e-rickshaws for which the use of e-rickshaws has been on the rise all over the country. In most of the cities, towns and even in villages, battery-run e-rickshaws have been proved to be suitable substitute of petrol-run auto-rickshaws.
But in Silchar, the petrol-run auto-rickshaw drivers and owners are vehemently against running of e-rickshaws in the town. They have been demanding that the battery-run rickshaws should not be allowed to run on Silchars roads.
Currently, Silchar is still a town of petrol autos. Huge numbers of auto-rickshaws are still running here. However, it has been alleged that most of the auto-rickshaw drivers have not proper licences. Disproportionate increase in the number of autos has hit the town with severe traffic jam. This is the day-to-day scenario of Silchar. Observing the situation, the administration has already stopped providing permits to new auto-rickshaws.
In the changing scenario, e-rickshaws entered the town with few numbers although a large number of unemployed youths have chosen e-rickshaws to run their families. So, many e-rickshaw agencies started booking and delivering e-rickshaws here. A good number of bookings for e-rickshaws have already been done, said sources.
The drivers and owners of petrol-run auto-rickshaws are aware of the fact that if e-rickshaws enter in the town with huge volume then there will be definitely a great challenge for them to survive. So, they have submitted a memorandum to the District Divisional Commissioner, Cachar, PB Roy, on Saturday and urged him not to allow e-rickshaw to run on Silchar roads. They also threatened that if the administration fails to act in this regard within fifteen days, they will start a greater movement.
Locals said, “The petrol-run auto-rickshaw owners and drivers have the right to survive, but at the same time it is also necessary to take the advantage of e-rickshaws, which are now more fit for pollution-free life.”