Green Signal To E-Rickshaws On Indian Roads
E-Rickshaws On Indian Roads: Green Signal For Eco-Friendly Drive
The Indian government has recognised e-rickshaws as a special category 3 wheeled vehicle with a total maximum speed of 25 kilometre per hour. The Delhi HC had placed a ban on e-rickshaws on account of safety issues. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has now issued a notification that e-rickshaws are special purpose battery operated vehicles with 3 wheel drives for providing connectivity to passengers.
Certain safety stipulations were also provided for the plying of the e-rickshaw. The government indicated that such a vehicle should not carry more than 4 passengers and 40 kgs luggage in total. E-rickshaws have motors with a net power of 2,000 watts and the maximum speed of the vehicle should therefore not exceed 25 kilometers per hour.
Other safeguards are in place when it comes to issuance or renewal of driving licenses. Each driving license for the e-rickshaw will be valid for the period of not more than three years from issuance date or till the validity of the driving license expires whichever is earlier.
The Delhi HC had ruled on July 31 that e-rickshaws could not ply on the road as they are a hazard to other traffic as well as citizens.” The HC had left the final decision to the Centre. Minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari indicated that efforts were being made to ensure that e-rickshaws do not flout safety norms. This ruling to legitimise e-rickshaws has proved to be a boon for many operators in the capital. With this ruling e-rickshaws have been brought under the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act. Among the essential conditions for the plying of e-rickshaws by operators is that they must ensure drivers have a license and badge apart from a fitness certificate for the vehicle.
Of course, where there is an e-rickshaw, politics is not far behind. AAP had threatened to launch agitation against the government if the e-rickshaw issue had not been dealt with by October 8. Considering the previous political controversies this special category vehicle has been involved in, it is not surprising that such initiatives continue to be a matter of debate among political circles. That aside, e-rickshaws do benefit the environment as well. This is a good move from many angles and not just a single one, considering what e-rickshaws do for last mile connectivity.
The government move to legalise power output to 2,000W makes it easy for at least a lakh e-rickshaws to ply on the roads. The government should also show such initiative in other areas for ecological welfare. Conservation will take a massive hit if the Forest Survey of India's recommendation is taken as right. Barring only 11% of the forest land from mining is not sustainable development. Our natural habitats and ecological biodiversity will be threatened if mining is initiated at a large scale. There are many paths to development. Let destruction not be the one we choose.
