E-rickshaw owners to get clearances soon, says Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari assured e-rickshaw owners that they would be able to get clearances soon for their vehicles, which have been termed illegal and banned from plying on Delhi roads.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways brought out the much awaited notification on e-rickshaws.

According to the notification, the conditions which are necessary for e-rickshaws to be able to ply on Delhi roads include a driving licence, a registration number, vehicle insurance and the approval of the concerned e-rickshaw model by the government.

The notification came as a reversal of a ban on e-rickshaws by the Delhi High Court on July 31, citing them as a hazard. It had also stated the ban would continue till the rules and regulations for them are outlined by the Road Transport Ministry.

Gadkari, who met Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday and other authorities to fine tune the process, said minor technicalities have been smoothened out.

"I had a meeting with concerned authorities and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. We have solved a few technicalities that were involved and henceforth, there will be no problems regarding e-rickshaws. Everyone will be given clearances and the process will be smooth," Gadkari told reporters.

There were an estimated 1,00,000 e-rickshaws plying on Delhi's streets.

Introduced in 2010 and operated by unlicensed drivers, they are less environmentally harmful and a cheap way to get around the city compared to traditional gas-powered auto rickshaws and cars that prove too expensive for many people to buy or travel in.

They provide the much needed last mile connectivity to residents but have also been in the news because of various mishaps.

Overall, about 150,000 families have benefited in Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) alone, outside Delhi, the figure will be larger, claimed an e-rickshaw seller.