Obstructing the movement of e-rickshaws and cycles in Non Motorised Vehicle (NMV) lanes will now attract a penalty of Rs 2,000 in the national Capital, according to a notification issued by Deputy Secretary (State Transport Authority) VK Mongia.
NMV lanes are marked on roads so that motorists do not obstruct plying of cycles and e-rickshaws in such lanes.
Those obstructing movement of e-rickshaws in the form of parking or encroachment in NMV lanes will also be penalised. The notification said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 15 read with clause (41) of section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), the lieutenant-Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, on being satisfied that it is necessary to regulate the uninterrupted movement of Non Motorised Vehicles (NMV) in the interest of public safety and convenience of general public of Delhi / New Delhi roads, wherever such Non Motorised Vehicle lanes have been provided and indicated by the boards/signages, do hereby, prohibits the plying and idle parking of all categories of motor vehicles on NMV lanes indicated/demarcated for their movement duly created by road owning agencies on such roads/areas in their respective areas of jurisdiction in Delhi/New Delhi roads/areas of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.”
The notification said these prohibitions shall not be applicable to motor vehicles attending to emergency services on the NMV lanes in the interest of the general public.
“The violation of these orders shall attract a fine of Rs 2,000 in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 194 of the said Act.”
lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung has, however, authorised officers of the rank of the Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Delhi Traffic Police and above and the ones of the rank of Head Constables and above of the city Government’s Transport Department to fine the offenders. The amount compounded by the authorised officers will be deposited in the “Major Head 0041, taxes on vehicles, 101-IMV (Fees and Fine) of the city Government’s Transport Department.
The notification has been issued on the basis of a proposal of PWD Minister Satyendra Jain to Raj Niwas a few months ago. Earlier in 2014, the Union Urban Development Ministry had told the Delhi High Court that Non-Motorised Vehicle lanes should be provided on a priority in Delhi.
As per a rough estimate, NMV lanes are spread over 30 kms of roads, but most of which are either used for parking or encroached by locals.