E-rickshaws that provide affordable last mile connectivity to common citizens are set to hit the roads of the Capital after a gap of several months. The Delhi Government has started registration of these battery-operated rickshaws after framing a simplified procedure for the purpose.
E-rickshaws were earlier banned by the Delhi High Court for want of legal provisions to regulate their plying on the city roads. Following a Bill passed by Lok Sabha to regularise e-rickshaws and provide driving licences for them, the Delhi Government has devoted considerable time to do so.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai said over the weekend that his department had approved seven models of new e-rickshaws. “Once the manufacturers appoint the dealers for sale of e-rickshaws, interested persons can purchase these [new] vehicles and get them registered,” he said.
So far, 24,441 learning licenses for e-rickshaws have been issued by the Transport Department. While 22,984 public service vehicle (PSV) applications were received, 21,833 of them were forwarded for police verification and 782 were received after verification.
Mr. Rai said two e-rickshaws had so far been registered with the numbers DL IR 001 and DL IR 002 at Loni and Raja Garden.
The Delhi Finance Corporation has also agreed to provide loans for the retro-fitment required to be carried out in the e-rickshaw prior to registration. Mr. Rai said the loan would be available at 13 per cent reducing rate for a period of two years.
The State Government has also forwarded a proposal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for relaxation of cut-off date of November 30, 2014, for registration of existing e-rickshaws. About 20,000 e-rickshaw owners are likely to be benefited by this relaxation.
