Union Minister of Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday expressed concern over the Capital’s traffic situation and the issue of e-rickshaws.
Speaking a function here, Mr. Gadkari said he had asked the Law Ministry to expedite a decision on the legality of e-rickshaws, which happens to be a major poll-plank both for the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, before the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, and suggested that a solution on the issue of their ‘plying or non-plying in Delhi’ be found soon.
“We must remember that we are talking about the livelihoods of the poor and their families. I have urged the Law Ministry to take a decision on the issue as soon as possible,” the Minister said.
Mr. Gadkari also said a solution needed to be found for Delhi’s characteristic congestion, pollution and road safety in addition to amendments to the Motor Vehicle (MV) Act.
“My Ministry is willing to provide a loan of Rs.5,000 crore to the Capital to better its transportation system and road infrastructure. We are of the view that the bus terminals of the country be redeveloped, refurbished and remade as world-class facilities as swanky as airports,” Mr. Gadkari said.
The Minister said there was also a need to improve the Capital’s public transportation and electric engines were the way forward for this. We have suggested that electric engines be allowed to play a major role in the public transport. All old buses should be converted to electric buses to minimise pollution,” he added.
