Overloading, safety concerns cast shadow over Srinagar's growing e-rickshaw network

The useful part

Commuters have expressed concern over safety concerns, overloading and overcharging by e-rickshaws in the summer capital. Battery-operated rickshaws have rapidly emerged as the backbone of short-distance public transport across Srinagar, connecting commuters through the city centre, Downtown and Uptown localities. However, while commuters acknowledge the convenience of the service, they say rising instances of overloading, safety lapses, inconsistent fares and underage driving are increasingly putting lives at risk.

How it works

• Passengers said overloading remains one of the most common violations, particularly during peak morning and evening hours, when some e-rickshaws carry far more passengers than their permitted capacity.
• "E-rickshaw are meant for four passengers, but we often see five or even six people squeezed inside.
• Sometimes another passenger is made to sit beside the driver in the front, leaving hardly any space.
• Since these are three-wheelers, it becomes risky, especially while negotiating turns," said Nusrat Jan, a college student who frequently.
• Another commuter, Mudasir Ahmad, said the problem is visible across several busy routes in the city.

What to take from it

Commuters said the risk becomes even greater on roads riddled with potholes, particularly in several Downtown and uptown localities where uneven road surfaces frequently destabilise the vehicles. Passengers also agree because they don't want to wait.

Details worth keeping

"Many operators overload to earn a few extra fares in one trip. A slight imbalance or sudden brake can lead to an accident," he said. "There have been several incidents in recent weeks where over...