Lucknow: The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad high court has flagged the unchecked surge of e-rickshaws in the state capital, observing that their numbers have gone beyond the carrying capacity of city roads and are worsening traffic conditions.
The bench was also apprised that the transport commissioner has requested the police commissioner to issue a notification under Rule 178 of the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998, which authorises restrictions on the movement of vehicles on specific roads or stretches. On manpower, the state told the court that recruitment of 1,028 traffic constables is underway, while selection of 11 traffic inspectors and 1,277 traffic sub-inspectors is in progress. Around 1,200 personnel are currently deployed at city intersections, against an assessed requirement of nearly 1,500. The bench was further informed that 153 defects have been identified on the Polytechnic-Kamta road. The matter will be heard next on Sept 21, when the PWD chief engineer and an additional municipal commissioner will appear before the court.
During the proceedings, the court was told that e-rickshaws are currently exempt from registration and permit requirements under a Union govt notification, a factor cited for their rapid and unregulated growth. The court said that once restrictions are notified, enforcement must be strict and e-rickshaws will not be allowed on identified stretches. A division bench of Justices Alok Mathur and Amitabh Kumar Rai made the observations while hearing a public interest litigation on traffic management. The state govt informed the bench that it has written to the Union ministry of road transport and highways seeking delegation of powers that would enable the state to frame and enforce effective regulatory measures for e-rickshaws. In view of the submissions, the court directed that the Union govt, through the secretary of the ministry, be impleaded as a respondent in the PIL. The proposal is under consideration, and the police commissioner is expected to issue the notification soon. The court also took note of e-rickshaws being parked near railway stations, bus terminals and busy intersections, leading to obstruction and congestion. Lucknow Municipal Corporation assured the bench that, in coordination with traffic and police departments, designated parking areas and passenger pick-up and drop-off points will be identified.