With e-rickshaws off roads after the High Court order on Thursday, last mile connectivity has taken a hard hit. While some commuters have welcomed the move to wheel out electric rickshaws saying this would decongest roads, particularly in areas of Old Delhi and near Metro stations, others rue the passing away of an economical mode of transport.
“Drivers of e-rickshaws have little regard for traffic norms,” said Rajiv Sinha, a motorist near Karol Bagh Metro station. “The major problem on the city roads was the synchronisation of vehicles. Since e-rickshaws inch slowly, they were slowing down other vehicles as well. Moreover, the design of the e-rickshaws is faulty; it is unsteady and prone to turn turtle while negotiating turns,” said a police official.
On the other hand, daily commuters rued the absence of e-rickshaws. “It used to be an easy and economical ride from Pragati Maidan Metro station to High Court. Now we have to board a crowded bus or flag down an autorickshaw,” said Manoj, a daily commuter at Pragati Maidan Metro station. A few others felt that banning the e-rickshaws was not the solution; instead a regulation be put in place to curb the menace.
“Banning is not the solution. They must be regulated since they are cost-effective and a better alternative to autorickshaws,” said M Kumar, an account manager.
“Since e-rickshaws have no registration, we cannot challan them. However, we are impounding the vehicles if they are found disregarding the court order,” said a police official. Meanwhile, 302 e-rickshaws were impounded till Friday evening by Delhi Traffic Police.
Delhi High Court had on Thursday ordered an immediate ban on e-rickshaws in the Capital terming them a hazard on city roads. The court also sought to know from the Government the measures being taken to tame the errant drivers and said unless a policy is framed, e-rickshaws should stay off roads in Delhi.
Meanwhile hundreds of e-rickshaw drivers who marched from Rohini to reach Union Minister Nitin Gadkari house were detained at Maurya Enclave police station on Friday. AAP party leader Rajesh Garg, along with other protesters, were taken into preventive custody under the DP ACT.