Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Jul 22: The e-rickshaws plying in City areas here have brought respite to the dwellers, who want the authorities to allow these passenger vehicles to ply on many other routes as well.
The passengers said that since the launch of e-rickshaw services in their locality, especially from Gow Kadal to Bohri Kadal area through the interiors, the local populace heaved a sigh of relief.
“We have got respite from hefty fare as well as find the e-rickshaw more convenient to reach the destination,” Ali Muhammad, a passenger from Habba Kadal said, adding that more such interior areas must be identified where these facilities should be made available for the ease of the public.
“It costs very little and affordable amount to reach the destinations. We are happy to avail the E-Rickshaw services but the services should be opened across all routes in Srinagar,” another lady passenger said.
Not only being eco-friendly, the e-rickshaw also runs on chargeable Lithium batteries during sub-zero temperatures. It’s believed that e-rickshaws are an atmosphere-friendly alternative omitting less smoke, which eases the sufferings of passengers.
An e-rickshaw takes just four hours to charge and gives a mileage of up to 200 kilometers. The e-rickshaws with a lithium battery will take just two hours to charge.
Due to lack of parking places and congested lanes, the transporters have urged authorities to streamline e-rickshaw service in respected areas and have appealed Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic Srinagar to look into the matter and take measures for streamlining e-rickshaw service.
Meanwhile, residents of Zafran Colony, Pantha Chowk Srinagar have urged RTO to introduce E-Rikshaw service in their area from Sempora to Balhama on fast track basis.
“We are suffering a lot due to non-availability of public transport. A very few vehicles ply from Pantha Chowk to Balhama. There is hardly any public transport. E-Rikshaws should be introduced from Sempora to Balhama and RTO Kashmir must deploy at least 5 to 10 E-Rikshaws on this stretch,” residents of Zafran Colony said.
They said that school children, elderly, patients suffer a lot in absence of public transport in the area.
