Incidents of e-rickshaws colliding with other vehicles or overturning are not uncommon in Okhla, given the narrow roads, potholes and reckless driving often witnessed in the area. In yet another case reported on Monday, an e-rickshaw driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol lost control of his vehicle, leaving two school-going children injured.
According to a video from the scene, one boy sustained a fractured hand while a girl suffered head injuries. The mishap reportedly took place during school hours, when the battery-operated rickshaw, carrying three passengers, flipped over on a busy stretch of road.
Eyewitnesses said the driver appeared unsteady and lost control while driving. Shockingly, he was heard blaming the passengers for “disturbing” him and causing the vehicle to tip over. As the chaos unfolded, local residents were seen questioning the driver. A heated debate ensued at the spot, with bystanders questioning him for allegedly driving drunk and endangering the lives of children. The incident has once again raised questions about the lack of enforcement of traffic rules and safety standards for e-rickshaw drivers in the area, many of whom operate without proper checks.
Growing menace of e-rickshaws
Social activist Md Sagheer, who has been actively working to address the perennial traffic congestion in Batla House, expressed concern over the growing menace of e-rickshaws in the locality. He told the OT: “E-rickshaws have become a serious nuisance here. Many of their drivers flout basic traffic norms, often driving on the wrong side of the road and creating massive jams. While a few of them are sincere and law-abiding, a large number behave like ruffians, showing little regard for rules or passenger safety. Some even operate under the influence of alcohol, putting lives at risk. The accident reported on Monday is a grim example as the driver, as reported, was drunk when he lost control. Authorities must take strict action against such reckless drivers and bring order to the chaos on our roads.”
Residents demand regulation and stricter enforcement
His remarks underscore the urgent need for regulation and stricter enforcement to ensure the safety of commuters in the area. Many residents lamented that the unchecked proliferation of e-rickshaws in the locality has plunged the area into chaos, making their regulation not just necessary but urgent. They pointed out that reckless driving, wrong-side movement, and frequent accidents have turned e-rickshaws into a daily hazard. At the same time, others acknowledged that not all drivers are at fault as many are honest, hardworking individuals for whom driving an e-rickshaw is the only means of livelihood. They urged that while strict action must be taken against violators, genuine drivers should not be unfairly targeted or victimised in the process.
A video of the aftermath, now making rounds on social media, captures the tense moments as furious locals confronted the visibly intoxicated driver. In the footage, one man can be heard admonishing him sharply: “What have you drunk? Look at the boy he’s injured because of you!” Another resident is seen scolding the driver in disbelief: “Children are on their way to school and you’re driving drunk? You lost control of your vehicle and ended up injuring innocent children!” The heated exchange highlights the anger and frustration among residents over the recklessness of some e-rickshaw drivers in the area.
After a mild reprimand from locals, the driver was eventually let go. The injured boy and girl were rushed to a nearby hospital by bystanders. Residents have since renewed their demand for stricter checks on public vehicle drivers in the area.
Resident highlights another dimension of e-rickshaw problem
Activist Syed Fouzul Azeem highlighted another dimension of the problem: Poor road conditions. “There is a problem of management. E-rickshaws often overturn because of bad roads. I urgently appeal to our representatives to pave the roads properly so that such accidents can be avoided,” he said.
He recalled an incident at Tikona Park a few months ago, when a car driver returning from work at night failed to spot a pothole covered with garbage. The vehicle was damaged upon hitting it, and one person was injured and rushed to a local hospital.
“The roads are in terrible shape,” he added. “Anyone who travels to Tikona Park can see that the stretch in front of the food hub, which connects to Okhla Head, has been in pathetic condition for years. There are huge potholes, yet no one seems willing to fix it,” he said.
