E-rickshaws not to be barred from plying in Delhi: Gadkari

New Delhi, June 17: In a relief to e-rickshaw operators, Union

Minister

on Tuesday announced that the battery-operated rickshaws will not be barred from plying in the national capital and they will be considered as non-motorised

.

Adressing a rally of e-rickshaw owners and drivers at Ramlila Maidan here, Gadkari said that e-rickshaws with motor power till 650W would now be considered as non-motorised vehicles.

"E-rickshaws having motor till 650W will now be regarded as non-motorised vehicles. Now, Transport department and traffic police can not challan them from tomorrow," Gadkari said.

The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had rendered e-rickshaws illegal via a notification issued on April 24.

According to earlier rules, three-wheeler vehicles with motor power less than 250W and speed less than 25kmph were regarded as non-motorised vehicles, but the amendment by recent notification to the Motor Vehicles Act withdrew this exemption.

Gadkari also said that Municipal Corporation of Delhi has to regulise e-rickshaws by registering them with a fee of just Rs 100 and form a policy for their smooth operations.

"Owners of e-rickshaws have to get their vehicles registered with MCD with a fee of just Rs 100. After registering e-rickshaw, MCD will have to give identity cardsto drivers so that they could easily earn their livlihood," Gadkari said.

"Transport department and traffic police officials can not challan e-rickshaws having four persons on board besides driver. Drivers of such vehicle can also ferry luggage up to 50 kg with four persons," he added.

He also said that to buy e-rickshaws, a loan at 3 per cent interest rate will be provided for which, Deen Dayal e-rickshaw scheme will be launched.

"I have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to ensure that those interested in buying e-rickshaws can easily get a loan at 3 per cent annual interest rate. Deen Dayal e-rickshaw scheme will be launched in this regard," he added.

He said that with his announcement, around 2 crore poeple across the country will be benefited.

Gadkari further said that for their vehicle-registration, the owners of e-rickshaws do not need to approach the Centre and the state government and will have to only approach MCD for getting their vehicles registered on their names. In the rally, BJP MPs Meenakshi Lekhi, Manoj Tiwari, Ramesh Bidhuri and MCD leaders also participated.

Gadkari also said that as per new rule, owners of the rickshaws will also have to be the driver of the vehicle and it will be ensured that these vehicles are not rented out. As per new rule, e-rickshaws registered with particular district will not be allowed to enter other districts.

PTI