New Delhi: The Delhi government is set to introduce a stricter policy for e-rickshaws in the national capital from May 15 in an effort to control rising traffic congestion, improve road safety, and curb illegal operations. The new policy includes mandatory fitness certification, compulsory driver training, and restrictions on vehicle ownership.
According to Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, merely purchasing an e-rickshaw will no longer be enough to operate it on city roads. Drivers will now have to comply with several new regulations introduced by the transport department.
Annual Fitness Certificate Mandatory
Under the revised policy, every e-rickshaw operating in Delhi will be required to obtain an annual fitness certificate. While the rule technically existed earlier, officials claim that many owners ignored it.
The government says the move will help identify legally registered vehicles and crack down on unauthorized e-rickshaws operating without proper documentation or technical inspections. Authorities believe such vehicles contribute to road accidents and traffic violations.
“One Person, One E-Rickshaw” Rule
One of the biggest proposed changes in the policy is the “one person, one e-rickshaw” registration rule. If implemented fully, an individual will not be allowed to register multiple e-rickshaws in their name.
The government argues that this step will reduce the widespread rental network system, where vehicle owners lease e-rickshaws to drivers. Officials believe owner-driven vehicles are more likely to follow traffic rules responsibly.
Follow TJP Whatsapp ChannelRegistered Owner Must Drive the Vehicle
The policy also proposes that only the person in whose name the e-rickshaw is registered will be permitted to drive it. This effectively aims to eliminate rental operations in the sector.
However, the Delhi government may provide certain relaxations to companies operating multiple e-carts or commercial electric vehicles.
10-Day Training Program for Drivers
The Delhi Transport Department will also make a 10-day training course mandatory for new e-rickshaw drivers before vehicle registration.
The training will focus on traffic rules, road safety, passenger protection, and operational guidelines. Officials say the initiative is intended to reduce accidents and improve traffic discipline across the city.
Over 2 Lakh E-Rickshaws Registered in Delhi
At present, Delhi has around 2.06 lakh registered e-rickshaws, which have become a major mode of last-mile connectivity in the city. However, with the growing number of vehicles, concerns regarding congestion, parking issues, and safety violations have also increased.
The government hopes the new policy will streamline the sector and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.
Mixed Reactions From Drivers and Owners
While officials claim the policy will improve traffic management and reduce illegal operations, several e-rickshaw owners and drivers have expressed concern.
Many fear that the restrictions on rental operations and multiple ownership could affect the livelihoods of thousands of drivers who depend on rented e-rickshaws for income.
All eyes are now on May 15, when the new registration and operational rules are expected to come into effect in the national capital.
