The Government has cleared the plan to allow plying of quadricycles on Indian roads. A new kind of four-wheeler —to be used as public transport — quadricycle has been given a go-ahead to ply on intra-city roads across the country.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of law approved the proposal of the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways to allow quadricycles as public transport. Quadricycles are viewed by stakeholders as being safer than three-wheelers (autorickshaws). They have fully enclosed structure with hard top and doors, although their maximum speed and engine capacity are lower than a small car.
Sources in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that they were waiting for the law Ministry’s approval for the plying of quadricycles — new type of four-wheelers. MoRTH will finalise the matter at the earliest, so that it can notify it within this week.
“Within a week we should be able to notify it and as soon as it is done companies can start selling quadricycles,” said an official from the Ministry of Roads.
This development is viewed as good news for Bajaj Auto, which in 2012 unveiled the quadricycle codenamed RE60. It is powered by a 200 cc petrol engine with a top speed of 70 kmph and has a mileage of 35 km per litre.
“An identification symbol ‘Q’ is likely to be prominently displayed on the body of these quadricycles,” said the official. Quadricycles will be recommended for registration under commercial transport category for intra-city movement, within the municipal limits, and only licenced drivers will be permitted to drive them.