NEW DELHI: Aiming to address the safety concerns related to e-rickshaws, govt will launch a “Star Rating”, which will ensure these vehicles can’t run beyond 25 kmph and have better structural stability. Govt is also working on the star rating of trucks and heavy vehicles.
Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced these plans while inaugurating a workshop on Vehicle and Fleet safety organised by the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).
“Govt is working on standards and a safety assessment system for battery operated e-rickshaws in the country as they suffer from safety issues. The safety improvement in e-rickshaws will improve their quality and generate more employment,” the minister said.
Sources said that e-rickshaw manufacturers and owners tweak the devices that allow these designated slow moving vehicles to run at higher speed, beyond 25 kmph. They added this poses risk and that there have been instances of such vehicles toppling. As per govt data, nearly 16.2 lakh e-rickshaws have been registered across the country in the past five years.
“Since it's the most affordable mode of last mile connectivity, there is a need for improvement, including the signal light, provision of windshield wiper and speedometers,” said a source.
Highlighting India registering the highest number of road fatalities, Gadkari said his ministry is providing financial help to train more drivers to meet the shortage of trained manpower. He said now there is a huge focus on safety audit of all roads across the country.
Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced these plans while inaugurating a workshop on Vehicle and Fleet safety organised by the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).
“Govt is working on standards and a safety assessment system for battery operated e-rickshaws in the country as they suffer from safety issues. The safety improvement in e-rickshaws will improve their quality and generate more employment,” the minister said.
Sources said that e-rickshaw manufacturers and owners tweak the devices that allow these designated slow moving vehicles to run at higher speed, beyond 25 kmph. They added this poses risk and that there have been instances of such vehicles toppling. As per govt data, nearly 16.2 lakh e-rickshaws have been registered across the country in the past five years.
“Since it's the most affordable mode of last mile connectivity, there is a need for improvement, including the signal light, provision of windshield wiper and speedometers,” said a source.
Highlighting India registering the highest number of road fatalities, Gadkari said his ministry is providing financial help to train more drivers to meet the shortage of trained manpower. He said now there is a huge focus on safety audit of all roads across the country.
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