Srinagar, Nov 9: The All Kashmir Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Association on Monday urged Srinagar Traffic Police to reconsider its directive asking auto-rickshaw operators to remove opaque black coverings and replace them with transparent sheets, citing the additional financial burden on drivers ahead of winter.

Association president Fayaz Ahmed Kumar said auto-rickshaw drivers had been serving people across Kashmir for decades and questioned the need to introduce the restriction after years of allowing the existing arrangement.
“Our autos have been plying in Kashmir for decades. If there were no such concerns all these years, why is this issue being raised now?” he asked.
Kumar said auto-rickshaws were the primary source of livelihood for thousands of drivers, adding that operators had no reason to indulge in activities that could jeopardise their earnings.
“These autos are our livelihood. Why would we misuse them and put our own earnings at risk? We do not deny that some people may be involved in wrong activities, but punishing everyone for the actions of a few is not justified,” he said.
He said replacing the existing coverings with transparent sheets would cost drivers between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, an additional expense at a time when winter had already set in and the sector was facing financial difficulties.
“Who will bear this additional expense? Drivers are already struggling, particularly after the introduction of e-rickshaws, which has affected the business of petrol-run auto-rickshaws. Imposing another financial burden on them is unfair,” Kumar said.
The association president maintained that auto-rickshaw operators followed the prescribed rules and regulations and appealed to traffic authorities to reconsider the directive, keeping the economic condition of drivers in view.
The association's appeal comes days after Srinagar Traffic Police directed auto-rickshaw operators to remove opaque black coverings and replace them with transparent plastic sheets, citing concerns over the possible misuse of vehicles for drug transportation and other criminal activities.
SSP Traffic City Srinagar Bisma Qazi said opaque coverings obstruct visibility and make it difficult for authorities to monitor activities inside the vehicles.