In a significant move to decongest its historic core, the Jaipur traffic police have announced a partial rollout of a new zone segregation policy for battery-operated rickshaws. The policy, which will come into effect from January 18, will drastically limit the number of e-rickshaws permitted to operate within the famed Walled City area.
New Zonal System to Ease Congestion
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sumeet Meharda informed that the city's e-rickshaws will be segregated into seven distinct zones. Zone 7 has been designated specifically for areas inside the Walled City. Following positive observations of improved traffic movement after an initial restriction was imposed on December 20, authorities decided to formalize and continue the measure.
"The best way is to implement the segregation policy and allow only 250 e-rickshaws inside Walled City," DCP Meharda stated. He added that while the partial implementation begins this month, it will take some time to fully roll out the zonal system across all seven zones for the entire city.
Sub-Zones and a Lottery for Permits
To ensure granular management, the traffic police have further divided Zone 7 into five smaller sub-zones, labeled 7A to 7E. A key rule under the new policy is that e-rickshaws allotted to one sub-zone will not be permitted to enter another. "Each of the sub-zone will be allotted 50 e-rickshaws," a traffic official explained.
The traffic department has initiated a process to select which 250 vehicles will receive the coveted permits to ply in the Walled City. Officials have requested applications from interested e-rickshaw drivers and owners who possess valid documents. The final selection will be made through a transparent lottery system.
Current Ban and Future Implications
Until the new policy is activated on January 18, the movement of all e-rickshaws inside the Walled City remains suspended. This interim ban is intended to prepare for the smooth introduction of the zonal model.
The rest of the e-rickshaws in Jaipur, not selected in the lottery for Zone 7, will operate normally in the other six zones across the city. This structured approach aims to strike a balance between preserving the livelihood of e-rickshaw drivers and addressing the chronic traffic congestion in the densely populated and culturally significant Walled City area, a major tourist attraction.
