For want of a policy to regulate the operation of e-rickshaws in Delhi, the battery-operated three-wheelers continue to have a free run across the Capital. Despite the decision of the Delhi Transport department to ban further sale of rickshaws running with a 250 watts battery, their numbers only seem to be on the rise. Besides, these rickshaws, though eco-friendly, add to the mess in various congested areas of the city.
Sources in the State Transport department suggest that over 1500 e-rickshaws are currently plying in the city without any regulation guiding them. Moreover, due to no policy framework being adopted for these vehicles, the e-rickshaws are left without any registration and licence. Adding to the woes of commuters, these slow moving battery driven rickshaws create hindrance in the movement of traffic, especially in crowded areas like Chandi Chowk and Paharganj.
Passengers who avail these rickshaws also have to shell out more compared to a usual rickshaw ride. “E-rickshaws are available in great numbers at Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station. It’s a good ‘one-time’ experience to travel in an e-rickshaw as they charge more than usual which becomes an expensive affair if used on a daily basis,” said Murchana Kaushik, a student of Delhi University.
However, drivers of e-rickshaws have their own defense on charging extra money, “An e-rickshaw can be bought anywhere between Rs80,000 to Rs90,000. It is expensive compared to a cycle rickshaw, so we have to charge higher than them. Our minimum rate is Rs 30,” said Raju Kumar, an e-rickshaw owner.
Started as a part of no-pollution drive by the Delhi Government, these electronic rickshaws are now suffering from a grave identity crisis. “The battery-operated rickshaws do not fall under the Motor Vehicles Act. There is a regulation for even cycle rickshaws, but none for e-rickshaws. Cycle rickshaws are not allowed in areas under our body, so e-rickshaws are also currently not permitted. We have sent a proposal to the State Government to introduce e-rickshaws in our areas and regularise them. No response has been received yet,” OP Mishra, Director project of New Delhi Municipal Council.
“The proposal mentions the introduction of 100 new e-rickshaws within a year and an additional 250 vehicles will be sanctioned in the preceding years. Apart from this, 65 new charging stations will also be introduced. In the first year, these would be in 15 locations mostly in petrol pumps. Some of the areas in which these vehicles would ply are Connaught Place, Jhandewalan Metro Station, Udyog Bhawan, Max Mueller Marg and Race Course,” added Mishra.
On asking about the presence of these three-wheeler vehicles despite no policy regulating them, Anil Shukla, Additional Commissioner of Traffic Police replied, “We are not in a state to do anything about them as we can’t impose challan on these e-rickshaws because currently they are neither under motorised vehicles nor do they fall under non-motorised vehicles. They are not registered and do not have any licence, so in what way are we supposed to take action against themIJ”