Siliguri, 02nd July: E-rickshaw drivers under a CITU-backed union staged a protest in Siliguri on Thursday demanding resolution of their three-point charter of demands. The protesters took out a rally and submitted a memorandum to the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).
According to reports, the primary demand of the drivers is permission to operate e-rickshaws on all city roads. They also demanded that all drivers be provided valid licenses and that pending number plates for e-rickshaws be issued without delay.
The drivers alleged that despite having valid licenses and registration in some cases, they are restricted from operating on major city roads and are only allowed in internal or narrow routes. This has reduced passenger flow and affected their income, making it difficult for them to sustain their livelihood.
Union leaders stated that a large number of unemployed youth in Siliguri depend on e-rickshaws for their livelihood, and their issues must be addressed urgently.
They urged the administration to consider the ground situation and allow regulated movement of e-rickshaws across all roads while resolving pending license and number plate issues.
The drivers warned that if their demands are not met soon, they would intensify their agitation in the coming days, including the possibility of a strike.