HC asks UP govt to decide on curbing fresh e-rickshaw registrations in 4 weeks

     cknow, Nov 2 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to decide within four weeks whether fresh registrations of e-rickshaws should be restricted in Lucknow and other cities where their numbers have exceeded requirements, observing that their unchecked proliferation has contributed to traffic congestion.

     A Lucknow bench of Justices Alok Mathur and A K Chaudhary passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Suraj Singh Visen. The court was informed that around 1.33 lakh e-rickshaws are operating in Lucknow, contributing significantly to traffic snarls.

     The bench asked the state government to consider restricting fresh registrations under the Motor Vehicles Act in areas where the number of e-rickshaws has become excessive.

     It also clarified that the exemption granted by the Centre from registration fees does not exempt e-rickshaws from the statutory requirement of registration for operating on roads.

     Referring to Rule 178 of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998, the court observed that the state government has the power to regulate the movement of e-rickshaws.

     An order issued on May 12, 2022, already prohibits e-rickshaws from operating on several roads in Lucknow, but the restrictions are not being effectively enforced, the bench noted.

     The court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure strict compliance with the existing restrictions and examine the possibility of extending similar prohibitions to other suitable areas.

     It, however, said alternative routes must be provided wherever restrictions are imposed to avoid inconvenience to commuters.

     The bench directed the authorities to submit a compliance report and fixed December 9 as the next date of hearing, according to the order on Monday.

     In the same PIL, the bench stressed the need for a permanent solution to traffic congestion around Kamta crossing and along the Polytechnic-Kamta-Chinhat stretch.

     The court was informed that the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, would conduct an independent assessment of multidirectional traffic flows, undertake traffic simulation studies and prepare technical and financial proposals for an appropriate action plan.

     The bench also continued examining proposals submitted by a committee constituted in the matter and measures undertaken by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation.

     It directed the departments concerned to coordinate their efforts to improve traffic management in the area, according to the order.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)