Noida may ban E-rickshaws

The Noida authority on Friday said that it is mulling over a proposal to ban E-rickshaws in Noida to de-congest city of its perennial traffic.

The Noida authority on Friday said that it is mulling over a proposal to ban E-rickshaws in Noida to de-congest city of its perennial traffic.

HT Image

The desicion comes after Delhi high court order that bans E-rickshaws in national capital. Earlier too, the authority had said that it has no place for rickshaws including cycle-rickshaws. But officials have been unable to phase out cycle or E-rickshaws on city roads because there is no facility to avail last mile connectivity to residents,who depend on this mode of travel.

“We have observed that E-rickshaws have burgeoned in recent past in Noida. And now after ban in Delhi, these shunted E-rickshaws would rush to NCR towns. As a result, it will worsen traffic congestion issues. Therefore, we are planning to avail best of last mile connectivity facility soon so that E-rickshaws use can be prohibited as it is a hazard,” said Manoj Kumar Rai officer on special duty (OSD), the Noida authority.

The authority is soon expected to form a policy on E-rickshaws so that final decision can be taken on the issue.

According to an estimate of officials, about 1,000 E-rickshaws ply in Noida’s sectors- 57,58,59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 35, 44, 125 and 67 among others, where office-goers travel from main roads to work by these E-rickshaws. “E-rickshaws offer cheap, fast and comfortable travel as compared to cycle-rickshaws. But it is an hindrance to traffic because drivers take E-rickshaws even in narrow spaces on road slowing down cars or trucks,” said Manish Bharadwaj, a passenger.

Gautam Budh Nagar transport department also said that number of E-rickshaws are increasing rapidly in city.

“Ghaziabad authorities have started a survey of E-rickshaws to take a final call on banning it. We will take appropriate action on the issue as soon as receive directions from senior officials in Lucknow. E-rickshaws are unsafe because they don't need to obtain a license under motor vehicle act. If an accident occurs involving an E-rickshaw taking legal action will be a tough task for us. But our department think that E-rickshaws are posing an hindrance to traffic,”said Rachna Yaduvanshi assistant regional transport officer (ARTO), Gautam Budh Nagar.