Violation of norms: E-rickshaws ply without number plates in Karnal

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 23

Despite guidelines issued by the Transport Commissioner for the registration of battery-operated rickshaws in February, a majority of these vehicles are plying without registration number in the city.

As per the guidelines, the registration of e-rickshaws having three wheels with the sitting capacity of four passengers beside driver is mandatory to get registered with the Transport Department.

Vehicles without number plates are also causing revenue loss to the RTA.

On October 17, 2015, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had inaugurated the e-rickshaw project with an aim to replace pedal rickshaws, besides making it a part of the public transport.

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Riksha Chalak Kalyan Samiti was also constituted for smooth functioning of the project. As many as 50 e-rickshaws were distributed by the administration under the project.

After this initiative, scores of people purchased e-rickshaws. As per an official, there are nearly 400 e-rickshaws running in the city, including 50 run by the administration.

A police official said use of a vehicle without number plate was a criminal act and serious violation of the traffic rules.

“We have started 50 e-rickshaws in the city to provide job opportunity and got them registered with the RTA office,” said Sudhanshu Gautam, CTM.

“The battery-operated rickshaws have become more popular as their running cost is less and environment friendly, the district administration should ensure their registration,” said Puneet Kathuria, a local resident.

Secretary, RTA, Pradhuman Singh said that only 50 e-rickshaws started by the district administration had been registered so far.

“We will initiate a massive drive against vehicles without registration numbers,” he added.