As per the Bihar State Transport Department the number of e-rickshaws will soon outnumber the traditional auto-rickshaws in the state capital, Patna.
The number of e-rickshaws registration saw an almost 100% growth as compared to the last year’s figures. Around 3,500 e-rickshaws are plying on the city roads, compared to 2,200 last year.
The department is promoting the environment-friendly means of public transport. Therefore, the registration fee for e-rickshaws are also kept 50% less as compared to other means of public transport. The district magistrates are authorized to decide routes for e-rickshaws.
As of now, e-rickshaws ply on Ashok Rajpath, Station road, Boring Road, Bailey Road (Nehru Path), Kurji and Patna City routes.
E-rickshaws are more comfortable than the noisy autorickshaws that run on petrol or diesel and heavily contribute to air pollution. The traffic condition in the city also favors e-rickshaw as it’s slow. However there is a need of further technological improvements such as better breaks and more speed.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board is planning to ban traditional autorickshaws as they emit higher levels of smoke. The plan is under process and it will be implemented throughout the state soon.
Reference- TOI