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 supplies at charging stations.

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

The blockade was lifted shortly before 1:00pm, after which vehicular movement gradually returned to normal.

The drivers said they took to the streets after electricity connections at several charging points used to recharge their auto-rickshaw batteries were disconnected. They demanded that the power supply be restored immediately.

During the protest, the drivers occupied the road and chanted slogans calling for the restoration of electricity connections. They said the disconnections had left many unable to charge their vehicles and continue their regular work.

According to the protesters, access to charging facilities is essential to their livelihood as they depend on driving 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 serious difficulty,” one of the demonstrators said.

They said they were unable to operate their vehicles normally without charging facilities, putting their daily earnings at risk.

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

The blockade caused considerable disruption along the Paltan-Press Club route, with congestion spreading to surrounding roads. Commuters travelling through the area faced delays and inconvenience during the protest.

After the protesters cleared the road, traffic gradually resumed and the situation in the area returned to normal.

Sun News/ rabbi