Driver licence must for e-rickshaw permits

NEW DELHI: The transport department has launched a scheme that is aimed at bringing e-rickshaws back on Delhi's streets. The E-rickshaw Sewa Scheme 2014 allows owners and drivers to get a permit to run the vehicle, provided the applicant has a valid commercial driver's licence and a public service vehicle (PSV) badge.

What could prove to be a sticking point though, is one of the permit conditions: only those models of e-rickshaws will be allowed to ply that are approved by the government. Most of the e-rickshaws that are on the streets of Delhi are only assembled here in India, and manufactured abroad.

The scheme, however, stands to benefit over a lakh e-rickshaw drivers and owners. Sticking to the new rules, the scheme allows anyone with a valid commercial driver's licence and PSV badge to apply for a permit. Registered as a transport vehicle-these e-rickshaws will be specified as contract carriages -the vehicles will come under a new registration series of "DL-1ER". No fare meter is needed.

They can also ply on any road in Delhi except the 236 streets where these are already banned. They will also need to go for a fitness certificate like other commercial passenger vehicles. The scheme also states that four passengers excluding the driver and a maximum of 40kg of luggage will be allowed on these vehicles.



Identified with a yellow reflective strip on the rear-end of the vehicle, the e-rickshaws will be registered only if they produce a sale invoice and a manufacturer's invoice. This, said officials, could prove tricky for many of the existing e-rickshaw owners as most bought the vehicles years ago and no longer have a sale invoice or were not given one originally.

The permit conditions specify that the permit holder or driver will have to report any incident of "indecent behaviour or molestation against a woman" in the e-rickshaw, as well as take the victim to the nearest police station or PCR. Not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are other conditions. Responsible disposal of the used lead acid batteries-through an authorized e-waste disposal agency-is also part of the guidelines.