Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Amid rampant traffic violation by unregistered e-bikes and electric rickshaws, the heavy industries ministry has cautioned that some of the manufacturers are violating the law by selling vehicles that run at higher speeds as those that ply at a max speed of 25 kmph. Vehicles that ply at a speed of up to 25 kmph are exempted from registration under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Sources said that the ministry has taken up the issue with the ministry of road transport and highways which amended the law to legalise the e-rickshaws – mostly imported from China – to ply on Indian roads.
Besides, a large number of these e-rickshaws run on lead acid batteries, which is also a health hazard. Those on lithium-ion batteries are seen to be safer, although even these violate traffic rules.
In addition, the small e-bikes used by delivery boys, some of which resemble electric cycles, have emerged as a major tariff hazard with riders seen without helmets, often driving on the wrong side of the road. Sources said that these e-bikes do not require to comply with homologation norms, resulting in no checks on them and violation of the speed limit norms.
“Other than ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, there is little that the central govt can do. There is poor enforcement on the roads and the traffic police needs to act against violators,” said an official.
One possible option is to impose quality norms, which is being explored by govt.
Mayank Rawat
