The Hindu        04.09.2014

SDMC for strict regulation of e-rickshaws

E-rickshaws won’t be allowed to go faster than 15 km/h or carry more than four passengers as the municipal corporations are working to regulate all aspects of the battery-operated three-wheelers.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee passed its e-rickshaw policy on Wednesday. The document includes a speed limit, a passenger limit, one-year permits and five-year registration certificates.

“The policy will be sent to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways soon as it involves public interest,” said Satish Upadhyay, the chairperson of the committee and the president of Delhi BJP.

The Ministry had set up a committee on August 7 to draft the policy. At a meeting on August 13, the committee suggested amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Act that would make e-rickshaws like any other regulated vehicle.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the SDMC drafted its policy to include mandatory registration and third-party insurance for e-rickshaws. An e-rickshaw driver must be over 18 years of age and have a valid driving licence for a two-wheeler or light motor vehicle or heavy motor vehicle. Only one battery-operated rickshaw will be registered under one name, making owner-driven vehicles more likely. The Corporation may make installation of speed governors mandatory to maintain the 15 km/k limit.

All registrations and permits will be issued and renewed by local civic bodies. The operators will be liable to pay fine under the MV Act if they break traffic rules. The SDMC policy states: “The fine realised by any police officer shall be duly transferred to the municipal corporation on a monthly basis.”

The fares charged by e-rickshaw operators may be regulated in the future as the SDMC policy says it may do so in public interest. The policy also gives three months’ time to e-rickshaw owners to have the vehicles registered. But, this can only be done when Parliament amends the MV Act to include e-rickshaws.