Patna: E-rickshaws in Patna will no longer be allowed to operate without route and area restrictions, with the Transport Department moving to bring them under a permit and zonal system similar to that already applicable to auto-rickshaws.
Transport Department Secretary Rajkumar has issued detailed guidelines to the Divisional Commissioner and District Transport Officer, Patna, directing officials to implement the new system in the city.
Under the proposed arrangement, e-rickshaws will be assigned specific operational areas and routes, with permits issued according to the designated zones.
Minimum age set at 20
Drivers seeking an e-rickshaw permit must be at least 20 years old and possess a valid driving licence.
The department has made a driving licence a mandatory requirement for obtaining the permit. The permit will be issued only after the applicant fulfils this condition.
Until now, the permit system in Patna primarily covered auto-rickshaws, while e-rickshaws were largely outside its scope. The new move brings e-rickshaws into the regulatory framework in an effort to organise their movement and improve traffic management.
No permit fee for e-rickshaws
The Transport Department has not prescribed any fee for issuing permits to e-rickshaws.
This is in contrast to auto-rickshaws, for which the total permit fee is Rs 2,150 for CNG vehicles and Rs 2,650 for petrol or diesel vehicles.
Three zones planned for Patna
The department has directed officials to implement a zonal system in the Patna urban area at the earliest.
Under the proposed system, both auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws will be divided into three operational zones:
- Yellow Zone
- Green Zone
- Blue Zone
Routes and operational areas will be determined according to these zones, and permits will be issued accordingly.
A White Zone is also proposed for reserved vehicles.
Online applications planned
The department has directed officials to begin the process of accepting online applications for zone-specific permits.
Once the zonal permit system is implemented, e-rickshaws will be required to operate only on their designated routes and within their permitted operational areas.
The move is aimed at curbing unregulated movement of e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws while creating a more organised system for public transport and traffic management across Patna.
