E-rickshaws to carry 4 passengers at a time, say draft rules

A mandatory driving licence and a maximum speed limit of 25 km per hour are among the conditions that the central government will impose for allowing plying of e-rickshaws, which had been banned by the Delhi High Court for want of regulations.
A maximum of only four passengers will be allowed in e-rickshaws at a time, according to the draft rules that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to notify in two weeks.
The Ministry has also specified safety standards for e-rickshaws and has sought comments from stakeholders within 10 days to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

"Objections or suggestions, if any, to these draft rules may be sent to the Joint Secretary, Transport", within 10 days, the notification said, adding that the Centre has powers to amend rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The notification said a sub-rule would be inserted in the existing rule that "every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority to drive an e-rickshaw shall be valid for a period of not more than three years from the date of issue, as the case may be, or till the validity of the driving license, whichever is earlier."
It also prescribed a "maximum speed of not more than 25 km per hour", power of its motor "not more than 2000W" and added that it will "carry not more than four passengers, excluding the driver, and not more than 40 kgs of luggage in total."

The fitness certificate will be made only after carrying out tests and it will ply on specified areas or routes.

The notification defines e-rickshaws as "a special purpose battery operated vehicle having three wheels and intended to provide last mile connectivity for transport of passengers for hire or reward".
Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari had said yesterday that a final notification enabling plying of e-rickshaws would be issued after 10 days.
The Delhi High Court had on July 31 banned plying of e-rickshaws on the roads of the national capital saying "prima facie they are a hazard to other traffic as well as citizens".

The notification also specifies safety standards for e-rickshaws including lights, wheel rims and the battery.
The government has also sought sample vehicles from e-rickshaw associations by November 30 for verification by a test agency as specified by the central government under rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.