Delhi HC directs government to change MV Act to allow e-rickshaws to ply

The Delhi High Court has directed the government to bring about a change in the Motor Vehicles Act (1988) to allow e-rickshaws to ply on the city's roads.

Lawyer Sugriva Dubey, who had appeared before the court on behalf of Shahnawaz Khan, who had filed the petition against e-rickshaws, said, "The honourable court has said that no e-rickshaws will be allowed to ply on the streets till a law is made for the same. Till the government does not make any changes to the existing Motor Vehicles Act, this ban will be in effect and the e-rickshaw cannot come on to the road."

"The high court also said that what is not part of the law, we cannot give permission for. Without registration certificate (RC), insurance and license, no vehicle will be allowed on the streets," Dubey added.

E-rickshaws, which started in 2012, had mushroomed in the city in recent months. They provided the much needed last-mile connectivity to residents but were also in the news because of various mishaps. On July 31, the high court had banned e-rickshaws.