Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has capped the top speed limit of e-rickshaws to 25 km an hour in a draft notification on Tuesday to provide legal status to these vehicles, which were banned by the Delhi High Court citing issues of passenger safety.
The Ministry also notified that maximum four passengers can be ferried in an e-rickshaw and driving licence and periodic fitness certificates will mandatory for these battery operated vehicles.
The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has sought comments from stakeholders within 10 days to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari had said on Monday that a final notification enabling plying of e-rickshaws would be issued after 10 days.
“Objections or suggestions, if any, to these draft rules may be sent to the Joint Secretary, Transport within 10 days,” the notification said, adding that the Centre has powers to amend rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
“Maximum speed for e-rickshaws not more than 25 km per hour, power of its motor not more than 2,000W, and it will “carry not more than four passengers, excluding the driver, and not more than 40 kgs of luggage in total”, said the notification.
The notification read: “Every driving licence issued or renewed by a licencing authority to drive an e-rickshaw shall be valid for a period of not more than three years from the date of issue, as the case may be, or till the validity of the driving licence, whichever is earlier.” The fitness certificate will be made only after carrying out tests and it will ply on specified areas or routes. The notification defines e-rickshaws as “a special purpose battery-operated vehicle having three wheels and intended to provide last mile connectivity for transport of passengers for hire or reward.”
The notification also specifies safety standards for e-rickshaws, including lights, wheel rims and the battery.
The Government has also sought sample vehicles from e-rickshaw associations by November 30 for verification by a test agency as specified by the Central Government under rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.