PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
In response to complaints and observations, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is set to initiate an enforcement and verification campaign for electric rickshaws and electric autos in the Dehradun district after the Holi festival. Regional transport officer (Enforcement and Road Safety) Dehradun Division, Anita Chamola said that earlier, e-rickshaws and e-Autos operated on highways and in various areas. However, it was found that their slow speed contributed to traffic congestion. As a result, authorities prohibited these vehicles from plying on highways and other specified routes. Despite this restriction, it has been noted that some of these vehicles are still operating on the restricted routes. Complaints have also been received regarding overcharging by e-rickshaws and e-autos.
She informed that while the fares for the mentioned e-rickshaws are not set, they are expected to charge nominal fare. Chamola further pointed out that e-rickshaws intended for passenger transport have also been observed in use for transporting cargo. Considering these aspects, the RTO is planning to launch an enforcement drive to verify e-rickshaws and e-autos in Dehradun, Rishikesh and Vikasnagar areas of the district. Chamola stated that the drive will particularly focus on areas such as the railway station, ISBT and other relevant locations. The enforcement effort will last a week along with this verification of the vehicles.
It is also essential to ensure that no minors are operating the e-rickshaws and e-autos and that these vehicles are not traveling on restricted routes. Additionally, once the verification is complete, stickers will be affixed to indicate that the vehicles have been properly checked.
Chamola stated that strict measures will be implemented if any violations involving e-rickshaws and e-autos are detected during the verification or enforcement activities by the RTO team—such as minors driving the vehicles, lack of proper documentation and other issues. This may include issuing fines, seizing vehicles and taking further actions as necessary, she added.
ARTOs told to inspect e-rickshaws & e-auto dealerships
DEHRADUN: The Regional Transport Officer (RTO) for the Dehradun division has instructed all Additional Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) to conduct joint field inspections of e-rickshaw and e-auto dealers in their respective areas. These inspections will involve a physical and technical examination of vehicles parked or being sold at the dealers’ premises. This directive came after a vehicle with registration number UKO7TE4615 was found operating on a route with more seats than the legally permitted capacity. RTO (Administration) Sandeep Saini said that the vehicle was inspected in the RTO office and it was discovered that the vehicle had been physically altered to accommodate nine seats instead of the prescribed four. In response, the RTO team conducted a joint on-site inspection at the dealer from where the vehicles are purchased and necessary action was taken by the officials. Saini added that this incident raises concerns about the possibility of similar irregularities among other e-rickshaw and e-auto dealers. To address these issues, officials have been directed to ensure that owners of all vehicles registered with the office are notified—either by notice or telephone—to present themselves for joint physical inspections at their respective offices. Apart from this, all vehicle documents, along with the driving licenses of the vehicle owner and driver, should be checked.
