E-rickshaws posing threat to people's lives in Tangla town

From a Correspondent

TANGLA, May 25: As if the chaos caused on the lanes by the existing small four-wheelers and motorcycles was not enough, another threat to the lives of the people of Tanga town has emerged.

This new threat has been posed by e-rickshaws or tuk-tuk as they are commonly called. As per data received from the Tangla Town Committee (TTC), a total of 75 e-rickshaws have taken the local public body’s permission till date which allots them unique identifying numbers. The e-rickshaws are driven at high speed in this small town having just four wards, thereby risking the lives of the common people on the road. What adds to woes of the people is the fact that as these vehicles do not fall under any law, they cannot even be fined by the law-enforcing agencies.

The State Government, which till date does not have a specified policy on e-rickshaws, also has no guidelines for the sale of these e-rickshaws by firms. It is being questioned as to how a mechanized vehicle designed and meant for public transport ply without any safety norms or passenger-carrying guidelines?

With the mushrooming growth of the e-rickshaw, the traditiol pedal rickshaw is vanishing in from the town. But the million dollar question that needs an answer is who will take the responsibility if someone gets killed or injured by these unregistered vehicles?