Have proper policy on e-rickshaw: HC

The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the Delhi government to come up with a "proper policy" for battery-operated e-rickshaws plying without licences or number plates.

A division bench of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Jayant Nath asked the Delhi government to formulate a policy on e-rickshaws on a plea seeking a complete ban on them.

"You (government) must have a proper policy regarding e-rickshaws, on the number of persons they can seat, proper space on these rickshaws, total weight they can carry etc," said the bench.

It added that e-rickshaws are even seen running as cargo vehicles.

"We are seeing them everyday with 10-10 passengers. Who gave them that much space? They are not supposed to carry 10 passengers," the bench said explaining that e-rickshaws can carry only four passengers.

The court also expressed displeasure at the government and Municipal Corporations of Delhi for shifting the blame on each other on the issue of e-rickshaws plying on city roads without following any rules.

"Someone has to take the action. It's (e-rickshaw) nobody's baby now. MCD says it's not my baby, Delhi government says it's not my baby," the bench said.

It also allowed the application of the Battery Rickshaw Welfare Association, representing operators and manufacturers of e-rickshaws, seeking to be made a party in the case. They said they would be affected by the outcome of the petition.

The court posted the matter for May 25.

The court was hearing a PIL seeking a ban on e-rickshaws, contending that they had no registration numbers and the vehicles were putting passengers at risk since the latter cannot claim insurance in case of an accident.

The PIL said e-rickshaws operated with four batteries and were designed to ferry four people, including the driver. It alleged that the drivers, at times, carried up to eight passengers, endangering their lives.