Reconsider decision

The Regional Transport Office’s recent decision to declare Maulana Azad Road and Residency Road as no e-rickshaw zones has sparked intense debate across Srinagar. While the move aims to decongest two of the city’s busiest corridors, it also threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of e-rickshaw owners, who depend on these routes for daily earnings. A policy intended to streamline traffic must not end up derailing the lives of those at the bottom of the economic chain. There is no denying that these stretches face chronic congestion. Private vehicles, cabs, buses, vendors and pedestrians all compete for space. The administration’s concern is understandable: slow-moving e-rickshaws often add to the bottlenecks. Yet banning them outright from prime commercial routes risks creating a new socio-economic problem. Many drivers took loans to purchase their vehicles, encouraged by the government’s push for green, affordable mobility. Now, barring them from major routes leaves them with fewer passengers, longer detours, and reduced income. A blanket ban is rarely the best solution to urban traffic woes. Instead, Srinagar needs a balanced, data-driven mobility strategy. Dedicated e-rickshaw lanes, stricter route rationalisation, regulated stands and better enforcement against illegal parking could ease congestion without displacing an entire livelihood group. Introducing time-based restrictions, instead of a full-day ban, could also offer relief during peak hours while allowing drivers access during off-peak periods. Most importantly, the administration must engage directly with e-rickshaw unions before finalising such decisions. Policies that impact thousands of workers must be shaped with dialogue, not unilateral orders. Srinagar is growing and modernising its traffic management is essential. But progress cannot come at the cost of the poorest. The RTO’s intent may be right, but the approach needs urgent reconsideration. A smarter, inclusive plan can both decongest the city’s core and protect the livelihoods of those who keep it moving.