Bidhannagar police launch drive against illegal and speeding e-rickshaws after recent accidents
KOLKATA: Bidhannagar police have launched a fresh drive against illegal and speeding mechanised electric rickshaws after a series of recent accidents, including one that left a 58-year-old man critically injured in Baguiati last week.
The man, who was out for an evening walk, was hit by a speeding retrofitted electric rickshaw and is currently on ventilation. Police arrested the driver, Bablu Mondal, and charged him under sections 281 (rash driving) and 125(b) (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
However, he was granted bail by the magistrate at Barasat court. His lawyers pointed out that these battery-operated rickshaws fall outside the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act, which limits the scope of action against offenders, said a senior officer of Bidhannagar City Police.
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In light of these limitations, police have written to the state Public Vehicles Department (PVD) requesting a regulatory framework that would enable enforcement against such vehicles. Officials said the PVD is working on a draft to fill this legal gap.
The recent accident has renewed focus on the safety risks posed by these unregulated three-wheelers. On May 1, Shikha Dutta, an elderly woman, and her pet dog were killed in Salt Lake's BL Block after being struck by a mechanised rickshaw during their morning walk.
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Previously, in June last year, a Netaji Nagar resident visiting his daughter in Salt Lake died following a similar accident involving a mechanised rickshaw near Salt Lake Central Park. He was hospitalised for three days before he died.
Earlier this year, TOI reported how many electric rickshaws in Salt Lake and other parts of Bidhannagar reach speeds of up to 45 kmph — nearly three times the average vehicular speed in Kolkata.
Police say their renewed campaign will include field inspections to monitor speed and raids on units assembling illegal vehicles. 'Until a proper regulation is in place, we will focus on enforcement through available legal tools,' an officer said.
'We are trying our best to control the vehicles with available legal means. Multiple three-wheelers have been seized for violating speed norms and rash driving, and we are also undertaking regular awareness campaigns urging the three-wheeler drivers to drive safely and stay within safe speed limits of 25 kmph,' said a senior officer of the commissionerate.
Cops added they are also conducting regular raids at illegal manufacturing units of such mechanised rickshaws at Baguiati, Kaikhali, and other places.
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