Srinagar – The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has set new fares for e-rickshaws at Rs 10 per kilometer for the vehicle or Rs 2.50 per kilometer for each passenger. This decision has made many rickshaw drivers in Srinagar unhappy. They say these rates are too low to support their families, especially with rising prices for everyday items.
Drivers have expressed their frustration, calling the new fare system “unfair and impractical.” They believe the rates do not consider the increasing costs of running an e-rickshaw, such as maintaining the vehicle, replacing batteries, and paying for daily needs.
Ghulam Nabi, a 45-year-old e-rickshaw driver, shared his worries: “With these rates, we can barely make ends meet. The cost of living is going up. Even basic things like food and fuel are getting more expensive every day. How are we supposed to survive on such low earnings?”
Other drivers also talked about the high costs of operating an e-rickshaw. Asif Ahmad, another driver, said, “A battery replacement alone costs tens of thousands of rupees, and it doesn’t last forever. At these rates, we can’t save anything for such expenses.”
Inflation has also made it hard for drivers to manage their household budgets. Shabir Khan, a father of three, explained, “Everything, from cooking gas to vegetables, has become more expensive. We barely have enough left for our families after a day’s work.”
