As the Centre allowed e-rickshaws to ply in the Capital, the Municipal Corporations in Delhi would ensure they do not have a haphazard run on city roads. Moreover, the civic bodies plan to make them available to public on phone calls.
The three corporations would frame a uniform policy within a month with a mandatory provision of getting the rickshaw operators’ mobile numbers registered with it. The numbers would be made public in the locality they are operating in and accordingly the service could be availed by the locals through phone calls. A proposal in this regard was made in the unified MCD’s budget for the year 2011-12 by then leader of House Subhash Arya. “A uniform policy will be framed within four weeks. A ward-wise route of their operation will be prepared which the drivers will have to strictly follow. Their mobile numbers will be made available to the local residents so that they can be contacted by the locals,” Arya said.
Arya, currently the leader of House in South Delhi Corporation, said the number of e-rickshaws in a locality will be decided considering the population and total area of the ward. “There will be a control room in each of the 12 administrative zones and the licencing unit of the Municipal Corporations will keep a check on their operation in their jurisdiction. leaders of the three civic bodies and representatives of the e-rickshaw unions will collectively frame the draft policy that will be sent to the Centre for approval,” Arya said.
Meanwhile, North Delhi Mayor Yogendra Chandolia said the municipal corporations would hold discussion with the Delhi Police regarding the safety aspect and prosecution in case of traffic violations. “Since the battery-operated rickshaws have been exempted from the Motor Vehicles Act; the Delhi Police will have to find out appropriate provisions to prosecute the errant drivers. It has been noticed that the rickshaw drivers tend to drive in opposite directions and jump traffic signals endangering public life,” Chandolia said. The Mayor said the policy will have ample check on any malpractice by the drivers. “The Municipal Corporations will fix the routes and fares for the e-rickshaws that will be the same all across the Capital. They will not be allowed to operate outside their fixed area,” he added.