Delhi HC to hear plea for review of ban on e-rickshaws
5 Aug 2014 5:31 AM IST
While the court agreed to hear the matter, it observed that there was a need to regulate the plying of e-rickshaws.
‘You are very well aware of the traffic regulations. Until and unless it (an e-rickshaw) is regulated, how can it be permitted?’ the bench queried.
RK Kapoor, the advocate appearing on behalf of Battery Rickshaw Welfare Association, sought urgent hearing of the matter saying an advisory has been issued by the ministry of road transport and highways to the chief secretaries of all the state governments and Union territories regarding regulation of electric motor propelled three-wheeled vehicles (e-rickshaws and e-carts). He contended that this advisory has not been brought to the attention of the court.
The review petition also contended that lakhs of families depend upon e-rickshaws for livelihood ‘and in the interest of justice, this court may review/modify the order dated 31 July’.
The association pleaded that since the ministry proposes to amend the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) and the rules framed there under as well as issue an advisory for regulating such e-rickshaws, they may be permitted to operate in the meantime subject to the compliance of regulations.
Delhi Transport department had, earlier, decided to crack down on battery-powered rickshaws for violating the provisions of MVA. ‘E-rickshaws are prone to accidents and operate without any statutory clearance’, said a transport department official. The department had also mulled action against their manufacturers and dealers.
‘You are very well aware of the traffic regulations. Until and unless it (an e-rickshaw) is regulated, how can it be permitted?’ the bench queried.
RK Kapoor, the advocate appearing on behalf of Battery Rickshaw Welfare Association, sought urgent hearing of the matter saying an advisory has been issued by the ministry of road transport and highways to the chief secretaries of all the state governments and Union territories regarding regulation of electric motor propelled three-wheeled vehicles (e-rickshaws and e-carts). He contended that this advisory has not been brought to the attention of the court.
The review petition also contended that lakhs of families depend upon e-rickshaws for livelihood ‘and in the interest of justice, this court may review/modify the order dated 31 July’.
The association pleaded that since the ministry proposes to amend the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) and the rules framed there under as well as issue an advisory for regulating such e-rickshaws, they may be permitted to operate in the meantime subject to the compliance of regulations.
Delhi Transport department had, earlier, decided to crack down on battery-powered rickshaws for violating the provisions of MVA. ‘E-rickshaws are prone to accidents and operate without any statutory clearance’, said a transport department official. The department had also mulled action against their manufacturers and dealers.
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