Carton-Laden E-Rickshaw Seen Speeding In Chandausi, Raising Accident Fears

An overloaded e-rickshaw in Chandausi has raised concerns about the risk of a serious road accident and the alleged disregard for traffic rules. The latest case has been reported from the Moradabad T-Point bypass in the Chandausi area of Sambhal district.

The e-rickshaw driver was seen speeding along the road with a large amount of goods loaded onto the vehicle. According to eyewitnesses, the load was several times more than the e-rickshaw’s capacity. The vehicle was carrying dozens of large carton boxes tied with ropes and hanging from its top, rear and all four sides.

A photograph shows the cartons stacked and secured around the e-rickshaw. The height of the boxes was so great that the vehicle could lose its balance and overturn at any time. The overloaded vehicle was therefore putting the life of the driver as well as the lives of other people at risk.

The most serious concern was that the driver could not see anything to his side or behind him because of the excessive load. In such a situation, there was a strong possibility of the e-rickshaw colliding with fast-moving vehicles approaching from the rear or from either side.

The Moradabad T-Point bypass sees frequent movement of heavy vehicles. Because of this, the overloaded e-rickshaw was seen as inviting a major accident on the road. The manner in which the cartons were tied and carried also raised questions about the vehicle’s balance and the driver’s ability to control it safely.

Local residents said that e-rickshaw and auto drivers often carry overloaded passengers and goods on the Moradabad T-Point bypass and in the city. They said complaints had been made several times, but the traffic police had not taken any concrete action.

Residents said the lack of action had encouraged drivers and allowed them to violate traffic rules without fear. They have now demanded strict action from the district administration and the traffic police against overloaded vehicles.

They have also sought checks of e-rickshaw drivers’ licences, permits and overloading, along with challans against those found violating the rules. According to the residents, such action is needed to control road accidents and protect people’s lives and property.

The report is by Rajat Malhotra.