Literacy rule for driving e-rickshaw drivers may go

NEW DELHI: The road transport ministry is pushing for 'no minimum' educational qualification for e-rickshaw drivers to get driving licence, invoking " antodaya", aimed at benefitting the poorest of the poor. The ministry has sent this proposal to do away with the mandatory provision of 'Class-VIII qualification' to obtain a commercial driving licence to the law ministry.

E-rickshaws and e-carts have been brought under the Central Motor Vehicle law as commercial vehicles. There are indications the ministry may extend the deadline for submitting samples of e-rickshaw models for testing, which ends on November 30.

But those advocating for safer public transport ridiculed the proposal of no educational qualification benchmark. "Initially it was Class-V and then it was upgraded to Class-VIII. After SC order the qualification for school bus drivers was fixed at Class-XII pass. The focus has been to improve safety and to have aware drivers. This move will open floodgate for similar demands from other commercial drivers. Is government making a mockery of the law?" asked S P Singh of IFTRT, a think tank on transport issues.

Meanwhile, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari said he has talked to law minister to expedite clearance of the proposal so that thousands dependent on these vehicles can get relief. While flagging off Delhi-Kathmandu bus service on Tuesday, he said the proposed changes will enable the old ones to ply on city roads.

Seemingly focusing on the Delhi elections, Gadkari went all out to showcase what all steps that the Centre is taking to take to make Delhi better. He said the government is exploring to run "hovercrafts" on Yamuna for facilitating faster transportation with its focus to make the river clean and navigable. He said the government should take the advantage of Centre's financial assistance to conduct feasibility study and prepare detailed project reports for "bus ports" on the lines of airports, which provide better amenities.