The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) board in the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district has taken a significant decision to tackle traffic congestion and enhance road safety in the city. Electric rickshaws, also known as e-rickshaws, will soon no longer be allowed to operate on 56 major routes. This is a broad effort to limit slow-moving vehicles from the larger routes of the city to ultimately improve traffic flow and lower the risk of accidents.
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Harsh Penalties for Defiance
To ensure that these new regulations are followed, the RTA will impose heavy penalties on any e-rickshaw drivers who refuse to follow the bans. The Traffic Police and the enforcement wing of the transport department will take joint action to enforce it. RTA secretary Tamsin Aftab emphasized the seriousness of this decision, by stating the violators will face severe consequences.
Soliciting Public Feedback and Confirming Compliance
Before the regulations go into effect, the RTA board is encouraging written feedback from those who got this impacts. “Objections/suggestions should be submitted in person or via post at least 15 days prior to the official gazette notification of the restrictions,” Secretary Aftab explained. In doing so, this ensures the voices of some impacted by this decision are heard.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation will put up sign boards on the routes under the new curb to ensure smooth implementation of the new regulations. The new road signs and maps will clarify the routes available for e-rickshaw operators, enabling them to comply with changes in road regulations.
Overview of E-rickshaws in Urban Mobility
E-rickshaws have been a boon for last mile connectivity in areas which have poor public transport, busses, shared cabs. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the District Transport Officer (DTO) of Kamrup (Metro) has so far registered 11,108 passenger e-rickshaws and 389 cargo e-rickshaws. They are key to providing affordable and greener travel options for many residents (particularly those without their own bikes or cars).
Varied Public Reactions
Indeed, the implementation of these restrictions has incited controversial reactions from citizens. Guwahati’s mayor, Arshel Akhter, was concerned about the restrictions. He said, “E-rickshaws are clean, low-cost modes of transport that provide mobility solutions to people who don’t have their own vehicles. And, they create jobs for the less fortunate.” Akhter, while acknowledging the need for regulating e-rickshaws operating on heavy-grade roads, questioned the logic of penalising them for smaller streets where public transport is limited. He added, “To say e-rickshaws are the main or sole contributors to traffic jams is an exaggeration, particularly when there is no specific data. It is primarily the large number of private cars, circulating and parked out on streets, that constitutes the real problem of congestion. “This decision seems like a knee-jerk reaction made without full analysis.”
Managing Urban Mobility and City Planning
Choosing the RTA highlights the an ongoing struggle between the needs of modern urban travel and effective traffic and public safety regulation. While e-rickshaws have contributed significantly in reducing pollution levels and in providing cost-effective commuting options but giving them a free-pass on any road would lead to clogging of main roads with traffic jams, thus resulting into safety hazards.
Conclusion
The prohibition on e-rickshaws on 56 major routes in Kamrup (Metropolitan) is an important step aimed at improving traffic flow and road safety. That said, the success (or lack thereof) of this effort will depend on the extent to which enforcement efforts are enforced, and having enough transportation alternatives available in the affected areas. The RTA’s attempt at soliciting public input is a welcome sign, indicating a willingness to engage with the community and make informed decisions. With these regulations going into full effect, it will be necessary to measure their impact and revise to accommodate for the needs of all urban people. First, the focus is on a smooth transition and compliance, in the hope that these measures will lead to a more efficient and safer urban transport system in Guwahati.
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