Association for e-rickshaw operators moves Delhi High Court

An association of battery rickshaw operators today 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. The application which was mentioned before a bench of Acting Chief Justice BD Ahmed and Justice S Mridul, was tagged with the main matter which is likely to be heard tomorrow.

In its plea, the association has 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 Delhi government to apprise it of any policy decisions taken for regulating e-rickshaws which ply without any licence or number plates here. 

The court's order had come on the plea filed by social worker Shehnwaz Khan who has said the e-rickshaws are operated with four batteries of 12 voltage with power output of 650 to 850 watt and are designed to ferry only four people, including the driver. The drivers of these vehicles carry more than 8 people at a time endangering their lives, the plea said.

The association, in its application, opposed the contentions of Khan, saying there is no need for a ban on use of these vehicles and rather those operators who violate the regulations, if any, should be challaned. 

It also contended that the e-rickshaws are public and environment friendly and should be regularised in the interest of the people at large. The association further favoured registration of these vehicles as well as color coding them with respect to the different areas within which they would operate.