Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Noida to launch the Bhartiya Micro Credit programme on April 5 and distribute 5,100 e-rickshaws to NCR residents (2,000 for Ghaziabad, 1,000 for Noida and 1,000 each for Delhi and Gurgaon), the registration of e-rickshaws has run into trouble.
The Transport Department said the e-rickshaw vendors associated with the Bhartiya Micro Credit do not have the mandatory trading certificates in Noida.
Also, the Department expressed reservations in issuing learners’ driving licences to the applicants since they have not completed a 10-day mandatory training with the vendors, as per the rule and they have to obtain a trade certificate from the authorised agency.
Rachna Yaduvanshi, ARTO (administration) Noida said the State Government has issued a list of 34 registered e-rickshaw companies. “There are four e-rickshaw dealers who have got trading licence in Noida. The dealers associated with the Bhartiya Micro Credit programme are not registered with our Department,” she said.
“The agency has written to us requesting for issuance of learning licences referring to the PM’s visit and e-rickshaw distribution plan. They also want that the transport department to authorise them to sell e-rickshaws to these people. However, the matter has been forwarded to senior officials and they are looking into the matter. “ the ARTO said.
When contacted, the officials of Bhartiya Micro Credit said they are in the process of finalising these issues. Vijay Pandey, the Managing Director, Bhartiya Micro Credit, said four e-rickshaw companies have been roped in to provide the e-rickshaws.
“These e-rickshaw models are approved by International Centre for Automotive Technology (I-CAT). They are also approved by the UP Government. Since we have just launched the initiative in Noida, the local dealers will now apply for a trading licence,” Pandey said.