AGARTALA, July 15 (TIWN):Putting an end to confusion over the status of the battery-operated rickshaws in the state, transport minister Manik Dey informed that e-rickshaws would be brought within the ambit of Motor vehicles Act.

According to the minister e-rickshaws will be brought under the Motor Vehicles Act,and the standard structural design will be specified by the Centre.  It also stated that the maximum permissible speed would be 25 kmph, with a limit of four passengers and 50 kg of cargo allowed in the vehicle. The draft guidelines also suggested that the registration of the e-rickshaws would be done by the local licensing authority and would have to be renewed every three years.

The e- rickshaws must have registrations and insurance. The driver must have driving licenses because they are driving motor vehicles,”  Manik Dey said, adding that insurance agencies could also be asked to come up with policies.

The four-seated battery-operated rickshaws - locally known as tom-tom or tuk-tuk - have become very popular among commuters in Tripura after they started operating six months ago.

However, the battery-operated rickshaws encountered a minor glitch after their launch. Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners strongly objected to these eco-friendly vehicles, fearing loss in their business as the fare of the newly-introduced Chinese-made vehicles were cheaper (minimum Rs 5) than that of the auto-rickshaws. This led the state government to think about bringing the battery-operated rickshaws under MV Act.