Srinagar- Eco-friendly electric rickshaw service which started a few months back in Srinagar city is emerging as the ‘safest’ mode of transport for women.
The e-rickshaws which ply on several routes in the city are gaining popularity by the day. Women and young girl students can be seen boarding the eco-friendly vehicle to cover short destinations in the city.
While passengers have benefited from the pocket, women who frequently board the E rickshaw, say “it is the safest means of public transport in the city.”
Sugra Hussain, a student pursuing her graduation at a city college said that she feels safe in an E Rickshaw.
“I found traveling in an E Rickshaw very comfortable and safe. In addition to that, it is environmentally friendly, so I prefer to travel to short destinations in it,” Sugra said.
Another student Mehjabeen Ara voiced similar views saying she has found E Rickshaws safer than other means of transport in the City.
“An E Rickshaw is not covered from the sides, females can sit comfortably and there is no fear of overload, so it is better in many ways than the city’s crowded buses,” Mehjabeen said.
Danish Mushtaq Teli, who has been driving the E Rickshaw for the last few months says the number of females boarding the E Rickshaw is more than that of males.
Danish says the reason behind more women boarding eco-friendly vehicles is that women feel safer.
“It is a safe means of transport, I have been driving this rickshaw for the last few months and I can say that women feel safer in this rickshaw, the seats are comfortable and there is no provision of an overload,” Danish said.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, Mantasha Binti Rashid, founder, Kashmir Women’s Collective said that the overloading of passengers in buses creates an environment for harassment but in case of E Rickshaws there is no question of overloading.
“In overcrowded buses, women are more likely to get harassed but In case of E rickshaws there is no possibility of overload which makes it safe for women,” Mantasha said.
However, with the limited number of Eco Friendly Rickshaws plying on selected city streets and a harsh winter approaching, the fate of ‘safest’ mode of transport for women remains to be seen.
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