Delhi HC upholds ban on E rickshaws, directs Centre to draft regulations

The Delhi High Court today upheld its previous order banning e-rickshaws in Delhi and asked the Centre to make regulations for the safe plying of such vehicles.

"The review petition was filed by the e-rickshaw associations and they had asked for the stay to be vacated which was against them by the last order. The court has asked whether the government is making any policies, regulations about these e-rickshaws. For now, on Friday the matter will be taken up again and whatever the government or the transport ministry has framed the policies or the guidelines for e rickshaws, they will be brought to the notice of the court," said petitioner Shikha Rai.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand also said, "The present government is trying to make regulations so that e-rickshaws ply without any issues."

The Delhi High Court had directed the state government to stop e-rickshaws from plying on city roads which had been met with resistance and protests from E rickshaw owners.

E-rickshaws, which were 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.