Epca moots 15,000 e-autos from Metro stations, seeks framework to regulate them

The move has come after the apex court, which had earlier capped the number of auto-rickshaws in the city at one lakh, asked the panel to examine the issue and submit a report.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (Epca) Monday said it will submit a report before the Supreme Court, seeking its nod on behalf of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for plying 15,000 e-autos from Metro stations in the national capital to boost last-mile connectivity.

The DMRC had earlier filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, seeking an approval for the registration of 15,000 e-auto-rickshaws to provide last-mile connectivity from all its 184 Metro stations in the city, as the existing e-rickshaws can ply only on selected routes. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

The move has come after the apex court, which had earlier capped the number of auto-rickshaws in the city at one lakh, asked the panel to examine the issue and submit a report.

The DMRC had earlier filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, seeking an approval for the registration of 15,000 e-auto-rickshaws to provide last-mile connectivity from all its 184 Metro stations in the city, as the existing e-rickshaws can ply only on selected routes.

During a meeting on Monday with stakeholders, including the Delhi Metro, transport department and Union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), the SC-appointed committee asked them to provide a regulatory framework for operating e-autos, management of charging points and fares, as well as submit a plan for battery disposal.

Also, she said DMRC has to provide guidelines on how these vehicles will be monitored and set up a central control room for the same as well as decide where these vehicles will be parked.

According to DMRC officials who attended the meeting, the e-autos will be introduced in phases and will have sophisticated lithium ion batteries, unlike the lead acid batteries used in e-rickshaws.

“E-autos will be operated through concessionaires and GPS-based monitoring will ensure that these ply only in designated areas. Also, we will provide charging facilities at depots as well as at stations,” Narain said.

A MoRTH official told the panel that e-autos are in addition to the one lakh autos permitted by the SC. The ministry had issued a notification on October 18 last year, removing the requirement for permits for battery-operated vehicles.