Siliguri, 12th March: The totos drivers took to the street, on Saturday, soon after the police administration imposed strict restrictions against the e-rickshaws in the city. Likewise, a group of protestors demonstrated in front of Mayor Goutam Deb’s house in Ward No. 17. Acting promptly, the police took eight protestors into custody.
It is to recall, the Siliguri Metropolitan Police, on Friday, announced numerous strict restrictions on totos (E Rickshaw) plying in the city to curb traffic congestion in the city. While the movement of totos has now been suspended on Asian Highway and National Highway, after April 21, totos without any registration will not be allowed to ply anywhere in the Siliguri Police Commissionerate area. Furthermore, totos with registration numbers shall only be allowed to ply in lanes and bylanes. And, their movement will be restricted on Hill Cart Road (from Venus More), Bidhan Road, Burdwan Road (from Noukaghat More), Sevoke Road and Station Feeder Road.
Opposing the orders, several toto drivers protested near NTS More on Saturday afternoon, demanding that the totos should be allowed to operate without any hassle. The protestors at NTS More stopped other totos plying on the road and even sent away the passengers. Soon after receiving the news, the Siliguri police jumped into action and took some people into custody from the spot.