As per a new directive to RTO and traffic dept of Noida, e-rickshaws will no longer be able to operate on permits and will have to apply for a licence to run legally. The directive, which came from Ravindra Nayak, transport commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, also states that the older registration certificates will still be valid for the e-rickshaws.
With the recent developments, traffic police will now be able to issue challans to e-rickshaw drivers who violate traffic rules. Noida's RTO will assign specific routes to the e-rickshaws. The letter also states that apart from this, the administration, Noida Authority and traffic police have the right to restrict e-rickshaws from any road to ease traffic congestion. The traffic police and transport department will also have the right to seize e-rickshaws that do not follow guidelines.
Rachna Yaduvanshi, ARTO officer of Noida, who received a copy of the letter, lauded the decision, as she had received numerous complaints about e-rickshaws causing traffic chaos.
Prabal Pratap Singh, SP Traffic of Noida, said the developments will help manage traffic better, as till now there was no way of penalising errant e-rickshaw drivers. "We have also written to Noida Authority, requesting for designated e-rickshaw stands across the city."