While the Delhi High Court has banned the plying of e-rickshaws in Delhi, in Bhopal the product was launched around a year ago but could not move ahead after.
Devashish Dahal, the trader involved in providing e-rickshaws in the city is concerned over the sluggish pace of the popularity of e-rickshaw among the city people.
When he introduced e-rickshaw in a car and bike fair orgainsed in the city the e-rickshaw had good response but later the response faded and till date only 2-3 e-rickshaws have been sold.
He claimed that e-rickshaws could provide a better and convenient way to transport for short distance connectivity which is the required in the expanding city limits. The residential colonies are situated at distance from the main roads and these e-rickshaws could prove useful in providing transport.
For BRTS also it could prove helpful as there is no parking for two wheelers and the commuters have to reach the BRTS without any mode of transport. E-rickshaw could provide an easy mode of transport and could same on time also, he added.
Dahal raised concern over some issues which are due to lack of awareness like confusion about the breakdown of the e-rickshaw in monsoon and charging problems but there is no such problem.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) MS Bhadoria said e-rickshaw would be a good idea but they would increase the congestion in the city. Firstly proper regulations have to be drafted and then the e-rickshaws should be regularised.
At present, these rickshaws do not come under the preview of Motor Vehicle Act and they do not get insured. In case of road accidents, it would become problematic to take action against the vehicle owner, he added.
The Assistant Regional Transport Officer Sanjay Tiwari said that after the Supreme Court has decided to impose ban on the e-rickshaws in New Delhi, the State government would look into the matter in detail to take final decision on plying of the e-rickshaws.