Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): Following the Regional Transport Authority’s (RTA) recent decision, declaring M.A. Road and Residency Road as “No E-Rickshaw Zones,” students from various colleges, located along these routes in Srinagar have expressed serious concern, saying the move has made their daily commute difficult.
Students from Women’s College Srinagar, SP College, Kothi Bagh and the SP Higher Secondary School and others, who frequently travel along this route, said e-rickshaws had become a convenient and affordable means of transport, especially during morning hours when they head to college.
“We used to rely on e-rickshaws as they were quick, safe and easily available in the mornings. Now, we are forced to depend on Smart City buses, which are already overcrowded and there is no other public transport operating on this stretch,” said Sameer Hussain, a student of SP College Srinagar, while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Another student, Mehvish Bashir from Women’s College Srinagar, said the decision has caused unnecessary inconvenience, especially for women commuters. “E-rickshaws provided comfort and accessibility, particularly for girls coming from different parts of the city. The authorities should have considered students before enforcing such a ban,” she said.
Echoing similar concerns, Safoora Hilal, another student from Women’s College Srinagar, said the authorities must revisit the decision. “The ban has limited our travel options and increased our daily struggle. We urge the administration to reconsider and allow e-rickshaws during peak hours at least,” she added, suggesting that e-rickshaws be permitted to operate on either M.A. Road or Residency Road as an alternative.
Firdous Nazir, another student, said, “We understand that the government’s intention is to ease traffic congestion and we support that, but the authorities must rethink their plan and consider the difficulties faced by students as well.”
Meanwhile, the students have appealed to the administration to review the restriction and allow limited e-rickshaw movement to ensure smooth and safe travel for college-going girls.
It is worth mentioning the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Kashmir, in its meeting held on November 13, 2025, decided to declare M.A. Road and Residency Road as “No E-Rickshaw Zones” to ensure smooth vehicular movement and reduce congestion in the city’s commercial core.
The formal notification was issued by the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir on November 17, while came to limelight today—(KNO)