Jaipur: Talks between e-rickshaw associations and senior traffic police officials failed to yield a breakthrough Friday, prompting the unions to announce a major agitation against the ban on e-rickshaw movement inside the Walled City. Representatives of the associations held successive meetings with Additional Commissioner of Police Yogesh Dadhich and Deputy Commissioner of Police Sumeet Meharda but were told that the restriction would remain in force.Speaking to TOI, Ashok Kumar Nawariya, secretary of the E-Rickshaw Welfare Association, said the traffic wing had rejected their demand to allow e-rickshaws back into the Walled City. “Though police termed the restriction temporary, we fear it may be extended beyond Jan 10. We suspect this is because the state govt is openly supporting a few auto-rickshaw manufacturers who have recently launched new models in Jaipur,” Nawariya alleged.He said the associations would soon launch a large-scale agitation involving e-rickshaw owners and drivers from Jaipur and its outskirts to oppose the decision. “Around 40,000 to 45,000 e-rickshaw drivers from across the city will gather near the Walled City,” Nawariya addedJaipur Police imposed restrictions on e-rickshaw movement inside the Walled City from Dec 20 to Jan 10, citing peak tourist season. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from operators, who say it has severely affected their livelihoods.Defending the move, ACP (Traffic) Yogesh Dadhich said the restriction was based on detailed study. “E-rickshaws will not be allowed to enter the Walled City till Jan 10 due to the peak tourist season. Since the ban was enforced, traffic flow has improved despite an increase in vehicle volume. We will continue with our decision,” Dadhich said.
