The absence of a regulatory framework for functioning of e-rickshaws has not deterred Delhi Government from promoting them as an environment-friendly alternative in the national Capital. Officials feel that classifying them as motorised vehicles will hamper the functioning of these rickshaws, which have become eco-friendly option for providing end-mile connectivity in the city.
“Classification of e-rickshaws as motorised vehicles will act as a hindrance to these battery-operated rickshaws, which not only are environment-friendly but also save the hard manual labour employed for the cycle rickshaws. Though, the Delhi Government has pitched for a regulatory framework to be in place, the move to bring them under the ambit of motorised vehicles will unnecessarily hassle the owners of these rickshaws to wait for the process to get a licence and a permit,” said a Government official.
Though e-rickshaws offer a comfortable ride, they have become a traffic hazard and may result in accidents on the roads. To ensure safety for all the road users, the Government is in process to formulate a regulatory framework for e-rickshaws.
“We have set up a committee to bring these battery-operated rickshaws under a regulatory framework. The regulations seek to identify the interiors of the city on which these rickshaws can ply and an identification mechanism for them in case of accidents. Since their numbers are constantly on the upswing in the city, the Government is also looking for a mandatory registration process for them,” said the official.
The Government had earlier banned e-rickshaws if their battery power exceeded 250 Watt or they ply at a speed more than 25 km per hour because as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, any battery-operated vehicle will be considered as a motorised vehicle, if its maximum speed is more than 25 kmph and the power of the motor exceeds 250 Watt.
In the absence of any regulations and proper registration numbers, the battery powered rickshaws have mushroomed in every nook and corner of the city and has left the authorities anxious. Though, the Transport department might regulate their routes once the regulatory guidelines are formulated, at present they pose huge safety risk to their fellow commuters as they can’t be booked under law for violations. Being battery-operated, the civic agencies also cannot issue licences to them.