Govt to amend Motor Vehicles Act to allow e-rickshaws

To allow e-rickshaws to ply on roads, the government plans to amend the Motor Vehicles Act. A draft notification has already been issued for public comments and suggestions. “We will issue (the final) notification for plying of e-rickshaws after 10 days,” said Nitin Gadkari, minister for road transport, highways and shipping.

According to the draft rules uploaded on the ministry’s website, ‘e-rickshaw’ means a special-purpose, battery-operated vehicle having three wheels and intended to provide last-mile connectivity. The word e-rickshaw will now be added to the new Motor Vehicles Act.

 E-rickshaws will not be allowed to carry more than four passengers, excluding the driver, and more than 40 kg of luggage. The power of its motor can’t be more than 2,000 W and the highest speed it is allowed to ply will be 25 km an hour. The driving licence for e-rickshaws will be valid for three years.

E-rickshaws were banned on July 31, following a Delhi High Court order over safety issues.

E-rickshaws have been promoted for last-mile connectivity. However, despite the ban, many vehicles are reportedly still plying on the roads.

Gadkari said the safety concerns over e-rickshaws have been taken care of and necessary steps will be taken to make them legal by making necessary modifications in the existing laws.

The Delhi High Court had on September 9 said that ban on e-rickshaws in the capital would continue, rejecting the Centre's plea to allow them to ply till rules are framed to regulate them. A High Court bench had left it to Parliament and the Centre to decide what legislative changes need to be introduced to regulate e-rickshaws.