IMPHAL: The city's drivers have decried the recent move by the state government to replace diesel auto rickshaws with battery-powered ones.During a meeting on traffic regulations last Wednesday, chief minister N Biren Singh suggested introducing e-rickshaws or battery-based vehicles for public transportation in and around the Khwairamband Bazaar area. Such a move will reduce traffic congestion and also cut down on noise air air pollution, he had said. A senior police officer who attended the committee meeting said on Sunday there is a likelihood this move will be implemented on certain routes in the city soon."Such a move to replace diesel vehicles, which will be taken up after studying models of other cities of the country, will certainly ease traffic as well as drastically minimize air and noise pollution in Imphal ," the officer said.However, irate drivers, who said they lack clarity on the proposed move and that this will amount to taking away the source of livelihood of many, have demanded that the government roll back its stance.Diesel-run auto rickshaws have played a key role in the city's public transportation system. On Saturday, a large number of diesel auto drivers staged a sit-in protest near the Manipur University gate, demanding the government revert its decision. "Such a step is akin to an infringement on the right to livelihood of the people who eke out their living by plying these vehicles," a driver said.Saying most protesters come from poor families, another driver said, "We procured the vehicles by taking loans from financial units and augment our families with the small daily earnings."Placards reading 'We condemn the decision of the state', and 'Kill our families before putting ban on diesel auto' and 'We will not terminate the service' were seen at the protest. A similar protest was staged on Friday at RIMS Road.Demanding that the government review the decision and allow normal operations of diesel autos, the drivers cautioned that they might be compelled to launch an agitation if their plights are not addressed.

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