HC seeks response from Delhi govt on e-rickshaws

The Delhi High Court today asked the city government to apprise it of policy decisions, if any, taken for regulating e-rickshaws which ply without any license or number plates here.
A bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Jayant Nath asked the office of Lt Governor, who is heading the government after AAP government resigned, to file a response before March 19, the next date of hearing.
Earlier, the court had issued notices to Delhi government, MCD and city police on the PIL seeking a complete ban on e-rickshaws on the ground that they are plying without any license or number plate.

The plea, filed by a social worker Shehnwaz Khan, said the e-rickshaws are operated with 4 batteries of 12 voltage with power output of 650 to 850 watt and are designed to ferry only four people, including the driver.
The drivers of these vehicles carry more than 8 people at a time endangering the lives of people, the plea said.
Alleging that these vehicles carry neither registration number nor the number plate, the plea said neither "the transport department nor the civic bodies are willing to shoulder their responsibilities. The transport department started saying these are non-motorised vehicles and thus not covered by the Motor Vehicle Act..."

The petitioner's counsel Sugriv Dubey sought directions to the authorities to take immediate steps to stop operation of e-rickshaws plying in NCT of Delhi, saying "these vehicles have neither the registration number nor insurance cover or fitness certificates".

"The e-rickshaws be allowed to operate by taking 2 to 3 passengers only while plying on the road keeping in view the safety of the passengers," the plea also said.
Further, the PIL said, "the speed ranging between 20 to 40 km per hour of e-rickshaws is not only a safety hazard but also a reason for traffic jams in many areas, especially near metro stations."

"Traffic police are unable to prosecute the drivers as they are not covered under the MV Act and traffic rules of Delhi government," the PIL said, adding "the vehicles put passengers at risk since in the event of any serious accident, they cannot claim insurance.