Siliguri Police plans six new e-rickshaw zones to tackle traffic congestion

Siliguri, 31st August: The Siliguri Metropolitan Police is preparing to divide the city into six new e-rickshaw (toto) zones to address the growing problem of traffic congestion. The system is likely to be introduced before the Puja season, after which e-rickshaws (totos) will have to operate only within their designated zones and routes.

Under the proposed plan, separate identification will be assigned to e-rickshaws operating in the six zones. Different colour-coded barcodes will be placed on the vehicles according to their respective zones, making it easier for traffic police to identify which zone an e-rickshaw is assigned to. The number of e-rickshaws allowed to operate on each route will also be determined.

Earlier, four e-rickshaw zones had been created during the tenure of former Siliguri Police Commissioner C Sudhakar to control the number of e-rickshaws in the city. At that time, different colour-coded barcodes were used to identify e-rickshaws according to their zones. The system was strictly enforced for some time, but the situation has changed in recent times.

A large number of e-rickshaws can now be seen operating on several major roads in the city, with their numbers reportedly exceeding passenger demand. Siliguri Police Commissioner Syed Waquar Raza, speaking at an event, said a large number of e-rickshaws are operating on the city’s roads, including many coming from surrounding areas. He also said it had come to light that several e-rickshaws were registered in the name of a single person.

Keeping these issues in mind, police have decided to create six e-rickshaw zones afresh. According to the Police Commissioner, work on the plan is underway and the system will be implemented soon.