n The members of Devbhoomi E-Rickshaw Welfare Society held a protest on Thursday against a ban imposed on the operation of e-rickshaws on the main roads of the city.

Alleging unfair treatment and harassment, they are planning to rally to the Chief Minister’s residence on Monday and escalate their protest further if nothing is done to address their grievance.

According to district president of the society, Ravindra Tyagi, “The authorities are saying that e-rickshaws cause traffic jam on the roads.

There are only 2600 registered e-rickshaws that run in the city. On the other hand, only 795 three-wheelers (Vikrams) are registered but around 5000 are running on the roads.

How are we causing traffic jams? Most of the drivers have taken a loan to buy e-rickshaws. How are they going to survive?

Three of our drivers have died due to depression. Since August 27 last year, the government has banned the operation of e-rickshaws on the main routes of the city.

Even if some poor driver gets on any main road in Jakhan, Jogiwala or ISBT with some passengers, he is fined ` 2,000.

The Government should understand that we have to feed our families too.”

“We have met Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the past too but we are just given false assurances.

 That is why we decided to do this public protest to tell the Government that we cannot be suppressed by them.

Our future plan is to gherao the CM residence on January 27 and if still nothing happens, we will go on fast unto death from January 30”, he added.