Traders of Purana Bazaar, are protesting the illegal parking of e-rickshaw in narrow streets of the market, obstructing the flow of customers, which in turn are affecting their sales that were already hit due to the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Shopkeepers said they have written to the district administration and traffic police several times, demanding steps for prevention of entry of e rickshaw in market to prevent the vehicles, but in vain.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Tuesday, Ajay Narayan Lal, a trader and the vice president of Purana Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Purana Bazaar, being cost-effective, is popular among a large number of lower, middle and upper-middle class customers.

“Many of our customers are keeping away from the market as there is no space left to park other vehicles due to hundreds of e-rickshaws standing here. The situation was not like this a few years ago but it keeps getting worse now,” Lal pointed out.

Md. Sohrab, former president of Purana Bazar Chamber of Commerce, had the same complaint as Lal and alleged overcrowding of the area due to the e-rickshaws.

He also alleged that the majority of the drivers are under 18 years of age and make stoppages at undesignated places.

“During a recent meeting, DSP Traffic, Rajesh Kumar Yadav assured that the authorities will create new routes for e-rickshaw movement. As per the new routes, they will not be required to enter the market. We are hopeful that a notification regarding this will be made in a day or two,” Sohrab said.