Bhopal: Collectors’ Order On e-Rickshaw Ban For School Transport Defied

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Though district collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh has banned use of e-rickshaws for transporting school children in Bhopal, violations were witnessed on the first day of enforcement on Monday.

The e-rickshaws were seen ferrying students in TT Nagar, Roshanpura, Shahpura and Kolar, raising serious concerns about compliance and students’ safety.

The ban based on recommendations made by District Road Safety Committee is part of a broader effort to regulate e-rickshaw operations in the city. Out of 14,000 registered e-rickshaws in Bhopal, nearly 2,000 are used for school transport and most of them are not registered and are often driven by unlicensed or underage drivers. These irregularities have reportedly led to accidents and traffic congestion.

The district administration has also drafted operational guidelines for e-rickshaws, which are currently under review. This ban is considered the first step towards safer and more regulated school transportation in Bhopal. The proposal was discussed and approved in a traffic committee meeting held on July 18 in presence of MP Alok Sharma where the need for clear rules on e-rickshaw operations was emphasised.

Bhopal district education officer NK Ahirwar said, "We have not received collector’s order and therefore no action was taken on Monday.

Bhopal district collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh siad, "There is a ban but some leniency is being allowed temporarily to give parents the time to arrange alternative transport for their children."