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.