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Time of India
31-07-2025
- Time of India
Bidhannagar police launch drive against illegal and speeding e-rickshaws after recent accidents
File photo used for representational purpose. 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. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo 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.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
At 45 kmph, Salt Lake's battery rickshaws zoom around at nearly thrice the speed of Kolkata traffic
Battery-fitted rickshaws in Salt Lake are reaching dangerous speeds of up to 45 kmph, far exceeding Kolkata's average traffic speed KOLKATA: Battery-fitted rickshaws in Salt Lake are now touching speeds of 45 kmph, which is almost three times the average traffic speed in Kolkata, a drive by Bidhannagar Police has found. Last year, the average vehicular traffic speed in Kolkata was 17.4 kmph, which means it took commuters an average of 34 minutes and 33 seconds to travel 10 km. Salt Lake's rickshaws can do the 10-km run in 13 minutes and 20 seconds. The unregulated speeding has raised safety concerns in the township with residents calling for a crackdown on these rickshaws, particularly after two fatal incidents. On May 13, Shikha Dutta and her dog died after being hit by a rickshaw in BL Block. Last June, a Netaji Nagar resident had died after being similarly hit near Central Park. Several others have been injured after being thrown off. Of about 4,000 rickshaws operating from 94 stands in Salt Lake and Sector V, 3,800 have been retrofitted to function as motorised rickshaws, a Bidhannagar police officer said. While the original handbrake of a pedal rickshaw has been retained, an accelerator, indicators and shock absorbers have been added along with an alkaline battery to power the motor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "The top speed of these rickshaws ranges between 31 kmph and 45 kmph, which is dangerous for three-wheeled vehicles primarily meant for last-mile journeys," a senior Bidhannagar cop said. Mend ways or face action: Cops warn e-rickshaws A Bidhannagar police officer said they were trying out means to limit the speed of mechanised rickshaws and would go for all-out prosecution if the operators did not mend their ways. At a recent awareness drive conducted by Bidhannagar Commissionerate's traffic division, DC (traffic) Nima Norbu Bhutia issued warnings to rickshaw operators and directed them to install speed limiters by May 31, restricting maximum speed to 25 kmph. While mechanised rickshaws have led to a sharp rise in the number of trips and earnings for operators, it is the inadequacy of the handbrake to handle the high speed that is causing accidents. The original handbrakes are designed to handle a speed of at best 15 kmph of pedalled rickshaws. Sharp turns at very high speed often result in these vehicles toppling over. Local residents that TOI spoke to said they constantly fear getting hit by these rickshaws. "These battery-operated rickshaws are silent and we can't hear them approaching. I constantly fear getting hit from behind. On Salt Lake's narrow roads inside the blocks or within residential complexes, that's very dangerous. They have just thrown in an electric motor without upgrading the brakes," Ashish Ganguly of HA Block. Sohini Chakraborty, a resident of CJ Block asked, "We need a system in place to check how these vehicles operate. Do the drivers have licence? Are the rickshaws roadworthy?"
