Fulbari, 06th August: E-rickshaw drivers staged a protest at the Fulbari Battalion More on the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri National Highway demanding the allowance of unregistered e-rickshaws to operate. Drivers from Fulbari and adjacent areas participated in the protest. Passengers traveling on e-rickshaws were halted on the road as a part of the protest.
According to reports, starting from the 1st of August, the police administration has prohibited the movement of unregistered e-rickshaws on the main roads. In response, the drivers have raised their voices in protest. Following a major protest on Monday, the drivers took to the streets to protest again on Tuesday.
Protesting drivers claimed that they come from economically weaker backgrounds while several have loaned money to purchase their e-rickshaws. They questioned how they would repay these loans if they were not allowed to operate their vehicles on the main roads.
As per their demands, the protesting drivers urged the administration to allow them to operate in areas, including Fulbari, Naukaghat, Jalpai More, Thana More, and Medical areas. In addition, they demanded the provision of registered numbers for their vehicles or the arrangement of alternative means of earning.