“10 for Vishvidalaya,” shouts Ravi Kumar, waiting for passengers in his battery rickshaw which has become one of the cheapest means of communication in the national capital.
One can see a lot of Battery or Electronic rickshaw plying on Delhi roads these days. They are environment friendly but still has not been legalised. “We have not been provided with any license but only warrantee for battery and charger,” says Ravi Kumar. All those taking a ride on e- rickshaws run the risk of getting no insurance in case of an accident. That’s because eco- friendly rickshaws are not insured. If an accident occurs, then the occupants will not get any claims from insurance companies. This is a dangerous situation.
Moreover, they are being harassed by the traffic policemen for creating menace on roads. Since they take more than four passengers in one trip, they are considered unsafe for public, and also, flout traffic rules. These rickshaws are not registered and thus, do not carry an identification number. If the government register their vehicles, provide them with number plates and route number, the problem concerning traffic could be solved to a certain extent.
Recently, the High Court has given green signal to include these battery rickshaws under the Motor Vehicles Act. The case was pending since it was considered an unsafe vehicle having technical faults as it was exceeding speed limit of non- motorised vehicles of 25 Kilometre per hour. However, the transport department has given six months’ time to the drivers to get permits for light commercial vehicles, driving license and PSV Badges.
About two years back, the former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had pushed the need for regularizing the e-rickshaws under the Central Motor Vehicles Act. She had even said that despite the vehicles were of great public use, the road transport ministry was not co- operating with Delhi government.
However, since these vehicles do not emit smoke or lead to pollution, these should be insured as soon as possible. Besides, the driver should get license as well, thereby promoting use of such eco-friendly vehicles. Moreover, these rickshaws run at a low speed, minimising the chances of accident.
These e-rickshaws could be purchased at the rate of ₹ 55,000 which is a huge investment. Also, the four batteries of 12V each are to be replaced after every 6 months which makes this an expensive affair. So, the government should frame policies to provide these vehicles at a subsidised rate. These e- rickshaws are comfortable and economical for covering short distances, and also a boon for many to lead a decent living.
It is providing a source of livelihood to people even with disability. Most of these drivers are illiterate and thus could not apply anywhere else. Several cycle- rickshaw drivers have switched to e- rickshaws. Since there is no fixed rate, they are easily earning between ₹60 to 80 per trip as comparative to 10 to 20 earlier. These e- rickshaws are bigger and can accommodate more people. They have overtaken cycle rickshaws in popularity and are giving stiff competition to auto- rickshaws.
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