Delhi government assures HC of action against ‘unauthorised e-rickshaws’ on routes meant for Gramin Sewa operators

The government counsel further said that necessary reviews will be taken by the deputy commissioner of police (traffic) and other officers concerned at the appropriate level to ensure that the grievances of the petitioners before the high court are minimised.

“In view of the action taken thus far, and the assurance of GNCTD that regular action will be taken in respect of the grievances of the petitioner, I am of the view that no further orders are required in this writ petition,” Justice Jalan said while disposing of the pleas.

The high court was hearing two pleas filed by drivers or operators of rural transport vehicles on specific routes [under the Gramin Sewa scheme]. The petitioner in the first plea operated a Gramin Sewa vehicle on the route between Mukundpur to Azadpur in Delhi and sought a direction to the Delhi government’s commissioner of transport to remove illegal vehicles plying as stage carriages on the aforesaid route.

The petitioner in the second plea was an association of Gramin Sewa operators who ply on permitted routes between Shastri Park Metro Station to Mandawali and between Jheel to Kalyanpuri. They made a similar prayer in respect of the illegal plying of stage carriages on the aforesaid two routes, particularly e-rickshaws.

The petitioners relied on the notification dated December 11, 2014, whereby the GNCTD prohibited the plying of e-rickshaws on 236 roads, enumerated in a Schedule to the notification.

The Delhi government filed status reports from time to time in which it accepted that unauthorised vehicles do ply on the roads allocated for Gramin Sewa, but it also enumerated the action taken against such illegal vehicles.

The high court further said while disposing of the plea that if the petitioners have any specific suggestions to offer, they may also submit those to the concerned assistant commissioner of police (traffic) of the area, “who will take their suggestions into account and take appropriate steps”.