Patna: The number of e-rickshaws in Patna has been growing rapidly, but the Transport Department has yet to frame rules and regulations for their operation—leading to increasing traffic congestion, unregulated routes, and illegal stands across the city.
According to official data, around 2,000 new e-rickshaws are being registered every year, taking the current total to over 18,000. However, no route plans or operational frameworks have been established so far.
Illegal Stands and Route Violations Commonplace
In the absence of oversight, about 80 illegal e-rickshaw stands have sprung up in different parts of the city. E-rickshaw drivers have started deciding their own routes and stopping points, many of which overlap with busy traffic corridors.
These vehicles are now seen operating across major stretches, including:
- Danapur to Phulwarisharif
- Police Colony to Anisabad Golambar to Beur
- Bypass Road to Toll Plaza
These routes include sections of national highways, where the presence of slow-moving e-rickshaws adds to severe traffic bottlenecks and safety concerns.
Union Raises Alarm Over Unregulated Operations
Ajay Kumar Patel, General Secretary of the Patna Auto Men’s Union, expressed strong concern over the deteriorating traffic conditions caused by unregulated e-rickshaw movement.
“E-rickshaws were supposed to operate only on link roads to help passengers commute from auto or bus stands to their homes. Instead, they’re now plying on main roads and national highways without any restrictions,” he said.
He also criticized the Transport Department for its inaction, saying that the lack of regulation has emboldened e-rickshaw operators to flout rules and run services wherever they please.
Need for a Regulatory Framework
Transport experts and civil society groups have long been urging the government to introduce:
- Designated routes and zones for e-rickshaws
- Fixed stands to prevent road encroachments
- Safety and training standards for drivers
- Monitoring mechanisms through local transport bodies
Without proper regulation, the unchecked expansion of e-rickshaws may continue to strain Patna’s traffic infrastructure and pose risks for both commuters and pedestrians.
