Taking serious note of unavailability of public transport in Habba Kadal area, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) on Saturday announced about the inauguration of eco-friendly electronic auto-rickshaw service in Srinagar.
RTO Kashmir, Sajid Yehaya while speaking to CNS said that the chargeable battery-driven auto-rickshaw service will be inaugurated on trial basis within few days. In its first phase, the auto-rickshaws will be operational on the routes – connecting Habba-Kadal with civil lines area and Habba-Kadal to old city with Rs lowest fare per passenger.
The e-rickshaw, apart from being eco-friendly, also runs on a chargeable Lithium battery during sub-zero temperature.
Considering the rising level of pollution in the atmosphere and absence of public transport in Srinagar areas, the E-rickshaws are believed to be an atmosphere-friendly alternative omitting less smoke, and has also been set up to ensure seamless service throughout the day in the Srinagar areas accordingly.
Under the Srinagar Smart City project, at least more than 30 electric buses are already running on different routes. These buses are eco-friendly.
The air and noise pollution-free electric buses are running on separate routes in both Jammu and Srinagar regions, having capacity to run up to 150 kilometers with one full-charge.
Recently 500 luxury buses were procured by the JK Road transport corporation for both the regions of UT.
Locals in the area have appreciated the timely action by the RTO and said this move is aimed to popularize the green mode of transport at an affordable cost to benefit the locals besides generating employment opportunities for the youth across UT.
There are students, patients, and general public who have to travel throughout the day in old city. Such people were left at the mercy of expensive cabs. Everyone is not rich enough to own a vehicle and cannot afford to pay exorbitant fare of cabs, but now e-rickshaw service will hopefully ease our sufferings” said Shakeel Ahmed, a local resident from old city.
Speaking to CNS Mohammad Maqbool President Mohalla committee said, “These Habba Kadal bridges connect civil lines areas to the Downtown areas of the Srinagar, are again expected to bloom now with the availability of public transport’’.
“Habba Kadal, known hub for business activities has been affected due to the continuous absence of bus service. We are thankful to RTO for taking action against our long-pending issue,” said Aijaz Ahmad vice president Bazar committee.
It is pertinent to mention last month Scores of residents from the Habba Kadal area of the old city complained about the absence of local traffic in the area creating inconvenience to daily commuters. (CNS)