Auto, e-rickshaw drivers go on strike in Panipat against odd-even rule

Drivers of auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws in Panipat city went on strike on Monday to protest against the implementation of the odd-even rule. Members of the union parked their auto and e-rickshaw at all main chowks in the city early in the morning, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

“The auto and e-rickshaw drivers will gather at Anaj Mandi and, after holding a protest march, submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini through the Deputy Commissioner,” said Naresh, district president of the union.

To deal with the problem of traffic jams on main roads of the city, the district administration had implemented the odd-even vehicle formula for one week starting September 1.

After what officials described as a successful trial, the administration has decided to continue with the arrangement.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the District Road Safety and Surakshit School Vahan Policy, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Virender Kumar Dahiya, Superintendent of Police Bhupender Singh and Panipat City MLA Pramod Vij in the last week of August.

According to the traffic police, while 4,300 e-rickshaws and 3,400 three-wheelers were registered, a higher number of vehicles were plying on the city roads. The odd-even formula was introduced to curb the growing number of vehicles and ease congestion.

Following the directions, the odd-even formula came into effect on September 1, starting with odd-numbered vehicles. The traffic wing deployed more personnel on special nakas — Sanjay Chowk, NH-44 red light, Shiv Chowk (Sanoli Road), Gohana Turn, Sector 13/17 Chowk, Assandh Road and the toll plaza on NH-44 — to ensure an effective implementation of the scheme.

However, the auto and e-rickshaw drivers’ union has been opposing the decision of the odd-even formula and said they earned their livelihood by plying their vehicles on a daily basis.

“We are poor people who earn their livelihood by plying our vehicles on a daily basis. Now, it has become difficult to fulfil our families’ daily needs as we are allowed to work only 15 days a month,” Naresh said.