Srinagar auto drivers urge traffic police to reconsider ‘opaque-covering’ ban

Srinagar, Nov 9: The All Kashmir Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Association on Monday urged Srinagar Traffic Police to reconsider its decision directing auto-rickshaw operators to remove opaque black coverings and replace them with transparent sheets, saying the move would impose an additional financial burden on drivers ahead of winter.
Fayaz Ahmed Kumar, president of the All Kashmir Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Association, said auto-rickshaw drivers had been serving people across Kashmir for decades and had always been available whenever their services were needed.
He urged the traffic authorities to reconsider the directive and rethink the proposed arrangement. Kumar said he failed to understand the sudden concerns over the coverings, questioning why the issue is being raised after the vehicles had operated in the same manner for years. “Our autos have been plying in Kashmir for decades. If there were no such concerns all these years, why is this issue being raised now?” he said.
The association leader said auto-rickshaws are the primary source of livelihood for many drivers and questioned why they would engage in activities that could jeopardise their own earnings.
“These autos are our livelihood. Why would we misuse them and put our own earnings at risk? We do not deny that some people may be involved in wrong activities, but punishing everyone for the actions of a few is not justified,” he said.
Kumar said drivers are being asked to remove the existing coverings and install transparent sheets at a time when winter had already set in, adding that the replacement would cost them around Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.
“Who will bear this additional expense? Drivers are already struggling, particularly after the introduction of e-rickshaws, which has affected the business of petrol-run auto-rickshaws. Imposing another financial burden on them is unfair,” he said.
Kumar said auto-rickshaw operators followed the prescribed rules and regulations and questioned the need for such restrictions now, despite the vehicles having operated with the same arrangements for years.
The association’s appeal comes days after Srinagar Traffic Police directed auto-rickshaw operators to remove opaque black coverings and replace them with transparent plastic sheets, citing concerns and the possibility of these vehicles being misused for drug transportation and other criminal activities.
SSP Traffic City Srinagar Bisma Qazi said that opaque coverings obstruct visibility and make it difficult for authorities to monitor activities inside the vehicles. (KNO)