Staff Correspondent

Traffic movement resumed on the Paltan-Press Club road on Monday afternoon after battery-run auto-rickshaw drivers withdrew their blockade following a protest over the disconnection of electricity used to charge their vehicles.

The drivers had blocked the road in front of the National Press Club earlier in the day, disrupting traffic on the busy route and causing congestion on surrounding roads.

Vehicular movement returned to normal shortly before 1:00pm after the protesters cleared the road.

The drivers said that they took to the street after electricity connections at charging stations used to charge their auto-rickshaw batteries were disconnected. They demanded immediate restoration of the connections.

During the protest, the drivers remained on the road and chanted slogans demanding the restoration of electricity supplies. They said the disconnection had left many of them unable to charge their vehicles and continue their daily work.

The drivers said that charging their vehicles with electricity was an essential part of their livelihood, as they depended on the income from driving the auto-rickshaws to support their families.

‘We earn our living by driving these auto-rickshaws after charging their batteries with electricity. The sudden disconnection has put us in severe hardship,’ said a demonstrator.

They said they could not operate their vehicles properly without access to charging facilities, putting their daily income at risk.

The drivers warned that they would announce tougher programmes if the electricity connections were not restored soon.

The blockade caused significant disruption to traffic on the Paltan-Press Club route, while congestion spread to nearby roads. Commuters using the area were forced to face delays and additional difficulties during the blockade.

After the drivers withdrew from the road, traffic movement gradually returned to normal and the situation in the area became calm.