Delhi HC reserves judgment on E-rickshaw issue

The Delhi High Court today reserved its judgment on the E-rickshaw issue, with the next hearing scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

"I represent the E-Rickshaw Welfare Association. All the parties have submitted their statements before the court. This is a question of livelihood. Thirteen centers will be opened for issuing licenses to e-rickshaws and they are not allowed to carry more than four passengers. For now, the court has reserved its judgment; the next hearing will be on Tuesday," said Delhi High Court (HC) lawyer RK Kapoor.

Battery Rickshaw Welfare Association's General Secretary Anuj Sharma thanked the government and the court for their decision.

Earlier this month, the Delhi government had presented a proposal in the form of guidelines in the High Court, addressing the three issues of driving license, identification in the form of registration and insurance raised by the court earlier.

E-rickshaws, which started in 2012, have mushroomed in the city in recent months. They provide the much needed last mile connectivity to residents but have also been in news because of various mishaps.

They are not covered under the Motor Vehicles Act as they are battery operated and are therefore non-regulated.