Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
The government has authorized all Regional Transport Authorities (RTA's) to grant e-rickshaw permits for 400 E-Rickshaw across various sub-divisions of the state. A Government spokesperson informed here today that a fresh notification under Section 113 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is issued wherein the respective Regional Transport Authorities are allowed to grant e-rickshaw passenger permits in various sub-divisions.
These include Palampur and Dharamshala in Kangra, Chamba (Sadar) and Bhattiyat, Kalpa (Rekong Peo) and Sangla in Kinnaur and Nahan and Rajgarh in district Sirmaur. Besides, carriage permits will also be issued in Jogindernagar, Padhar, Sarkaghat and Dharampur of Mandi district, Kullu, Bhuntar, Banjar, Manali, Patlikuhal and Naggar of Kullu district, Theog and Rohru in Shimla district, Kandaghat, Arki, Nalagarh and Baddi in Solan district and Haroli and Una, and other areas in district Una.
The notification further states that only E-Rickshaws will be permitted for new registrations in these areas. In the remaining sub-divisions of the state, the operation of auto-rickshaws and E-Rickshaws will continue to remain restricted. However, this restriction will not apply to auto-rickshaws already operating under valid permits.
It has also been clarified that each registered and authorized e-Rickshaw will be allowed to operate only within a 20-kilometre radius of the concerned sub-division headquarters. Once an e-Rickshaw is registered or authorized in a particular sub-division, its operational headquarters will remain permanent and cannot be changed or shifted under any circumstances. Apart from this, the vehicle must strictly operate within the judicial limits of the allotted sub-division and any operation beyond the permitted area will be treated as a violation of the notification and the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.