E-Rickshaws are considered to be the most environment friendly and non-polluting mode of transportation. Not only they are economical, but help many people to fulfill their daily needs and at the same time, e-rickshaw drivers to support their families by earning in a decent way. We as Indians should support such people for making honest efforts to be the bread earners for their families.

However, in Vrindavan (Mathura) the lives of these E-rickshaw drivers are put into a complete crisis and they are into a state of chaos as to how are they going to feed their families.

Some months back, a new traffic management plan was prepared by the local authorities such as RTO officer, SP(traffic), transport inspector, inspector in charge and few others according to which, e-rickshaw owners in Mathura- Vrindavan will have to get their vehicles registered, failing which they will not be allowed to operate in the city and, in Vrindavan they will be distributed between six zones.

Authorities started distributing route numbers to these E-rickshaw drivers in Vrindavan and, now they are bound to run their rickshaws only on the routes allotted to them.  All these routes are not busy so they keep struggling to find passengers.  More than 40% rickshaw drivers are renting rickshaws and pay almost 60% of what they earn as rent every evening.  Hence they risk themselves by opting other routes, and if at all, they are caught; they are penalized heavily and also sometimes face the wrath of police who dismantle their rickshaws by puncturing their tires and hitting rickshaws with the sticks they are holding, and even don’t give a second thought before slapping these drivers.

Not only these drivers, but people who are either local or outsiders also facing troubles to commute from one place to another as they are supposed to change many rickshaws to reach their destination and pay double amount due to change of rickshaws. As Vrindavan is a holy town so many old people (who can barely walk) are staying there for whom it has become a real challenge to even think of going to their deity’s temple.

The irony is that, the purpose of making so many lives miserable is still defeated, as the Traffic can still be seen on roads like before. Then what is the point of having this route number distribution amongst e-rickshaws, when it is becoming a curse than blessing, not only for the drivers but for the public as well.

Let’s join hands together to help these E-Rickshaw drivers to live a dignified and peaceful life by making an honest living by removing this route number distribution scheme and be a little help for them so that they are able to feed their families.

Also I request the local authorities (RTO officer, SP(traffic), transport inspector, inspector in charge etc.)  of the Vrindavan (Mathura) to demolish this route number allocation for e-Rickshaws with immediate effect. And allow these E-Rickshaw drivers to pedal freely on the roads to make an honest living.

Please share this petition to your Whatsapp groups, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and whatever social media accounts you have and make a little effort for changing someone's life for better.