A temporary prohibition on e-rickshaws entering Jaipur's historic Walled City has triggered unexpected and severe traffic gridlock on major connecting roads. The move, intended to streamline movement for the festive tourist rush, has instead displaced nearly 12,000 battery-operated vehicles, pushing them onto already busy thoroughfares like Tonk Road and MI Road.
Commuter Frustration Mounts as Travel Times Soar
The ban, which came into effect last Saturday, has left daily commuters and public transport operators grappling with significantly longer journey times. Drivers report that short stretches now take an exorbitant amount of time to navigate. A driver from the Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) highlighted the severity, noting it took at least 15 minutes to traverse the small section of MI Road between Sanganeri Gate and Yadgar on a Monday morning.
He explained that e-rickshaws, now barred from the city center, are lining both sides of this stretch to pick up and drop off passengers heading to areas like Bapu Bazar from the south. The situation is worsened as these vehicles make frequent U-turns wherever possible, further disrupting the flow of traffic.
Official Strategy and Temporary Relief Measures
Jaipur traffic police have confirmed that this disruptive phase is a short-term measure. The ban is officially scheduled to be lifted on January 10, 2026. Authorities state this is a calculated part of a broader traffic management plan designed to handle the annual surge of visitors during the Christmas and New Year period.
A traffic official pointed out the timing was chosen strategically. "Most importantly, till January 10 all educational institutions and courts will remain closed. Second, there are weekends and holidays during this period. It won't affect much," the official stated. To address the immediate congestion ringing the old city, plans are being developed to scientifically allocate e-rickshaws into specific designated zones, aiming to minimize their impact on overall traffic movement.
Looking Beyond the Festive Season
While the immediate goal is managing festive crowds, the situation has highlighted the critical role e-rickshaws play in Jaipur's last-mile connectivity and the challenges of urban traffic planning. The two-year timeframe of the ban indicates a longer-term evaluation of traffic patterns within the Walled City is underway. The success of the proposed zoning system for e-rickshaws on the periphery will be closely watched, as it could offer a model for balancing the needs of local transport with the preservation of mobility in the historic center.
For now, residents and visitors must brace for continued delays on key routes until the authorities' redistribution plans take full effect or the ban is ultimately lifted.
