More than 5,000 e-rickshaws are operating on the roads of Etawah, far surpassing the registered count of 3,400. A significant number of these are driven by underage minors, contributing to frequent road accidents. Despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s clear directives to crack down on this illegal practice, enforcement by the police has remained largely ineffective.
Underage drivers often violate traffic rules, ignoring the 30 km/h speed limit, making sudden stops, and braking without warning—frequently causing collisions with other vehicles. Areas such as Malgodam Road, Sabitganj, Ramganj, Bus Stand Road, Naurangabad, Chhairaha, and Pachraha are hotspots for such violations.
While the traffic department is actively issuing challans for other infractions, action against minor drivers remains inadequate. Although a few minors have been apprehended, the issue continues unchecked.
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Etawah has divided the city into three zones for e-rickshaw operations, with color-coded numbers: red for Kotwali, yellow for Civil Lines, and green for Friends Colony. Additionally, e-rickshaw operators face a Rs 5,000 fine if caught carrying goods, and authorities have advised installing protective grills to prevent passengers from disembarking from the wrong side.
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The problem is further worsened by rampant overloading, with many e-rickshaws carrying 8-10 passengers at a time. The risk of accidents increases, particularly in the older parts of the city, where e-rickshaws are frequently used for transporting goods. Despite repeated concerns and ongoing accidents involving underage drivers, effective control measures remain absent.