'E-rickshaws must be alternative for petrol or diesel run vehicles'

NEW DELHI: Amid the concerns of the air pollution in the Delhi which is known as one of the most polluted Capitals in the world, the vehicular pollution has come as one of the major reasons of air pollution. In the World Environment Day, the clean air campaigners and activists noted that battery run E-Rickshaws should be the prime alternative of the petrol or diesel run vehicles in Delhi. This year, Delhi government also vouched for the expansion of the E-Rickshaws in its recent budget. However, there are claims that very less has been done on this matter.

Long before government envisaged any policy regarding the e-rickshaws, Delhi has seen a meteoric rise in the availability and use of these electric vehicles. To encourage the use of these eco-friendly vehicles who have zero carbon footprint and do not harm the environment, unlike the fossil-fuels or CNG run vehicles, the AAP led Delhi-government has already increased the subsidy provided to each e-rickshaw owner from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000, whereas Aadhar has also been made mandatory for availing the subsidy. The three-wheeled battery operated vehicle has provided Delhites with the much needed first and last mile connectivity, which was not the case earlier as commuters had to struggle to get a ride.

However, over one lakh e-rickshaws ply on the street of Delhi which is over the prescribed limit as said by the 12-member committee set up at the directive of High Court to form an e-rickshaw policy. After getting lenient treatment in the Motor Vehicle Act (MVT), e-rickshaws need not carry a permit but the state government can still apply reasonable restrictions. There are about 33,000 registered rickshaws in the capital.