An association of battery rickshaw operators on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court for being impleaded as a party in a PIL seeking a complete ban on these vehicles on the ground that they are plying without any licence or number plate.
The Battery Rickshaw Welfare Association, representing operators and manufacturers of battery operated e-rickshaws, in its application has sought to be made a party saying they would be affected by the outcome of the petition. In its plea, the association said that it “would not oppose any reasonable regulations which may be required in the public interest and also in the interest of the battery operated e-rickshaw operators.”
The High Court on February 19, had asked the Delhi government to apprise it of any policy decisions taken for regulating e-rickshaws which ply without licence or number plates here.
The court’s order had come on the plea filed by social worker Shehnwaz Khan who has said the rickshaws are operated with four batteries and are designed to ferry only four people, including the driver. But the drivers carry more than eight people at a time endangering their lives, the plea said.
The association, in its application, opposed the contention saying there is no need for a ban on the use of these vehicles. Only operators who violate the regulations should be challenged.
