The Delhi government has proposed a cap of 2.5 lakh e-rickshaws under the draft Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, citing concerns over traffic congestion, road safety risks and uncontrolled growth of electric three-wheelers in the national capital.
According to official estimates, there are around 4 lakh e-rickshaws currently operating in Delhi. However, only 2,05,665 have been officially registered, indicating that nearly 2 lakh vehicles are plying illegally on the city’s roads.
The draft policy states that no registrations beyond the proposed limit of 2.5 million e-rickshaws will be allowed unless the government reviews the cap in the future.
Officials said the move aims to impose greater regulation on the sector, which has expanded rapidly over the years.
The government is also looking to regulate the rapidly expanding non-motorized vehicle sector, which officials have described as a growing mobility challenge in the city.
Read also | Delhi government limits e-rickshaws to 2.5 lakh to address congestion in urban areas
Why did the government put an end to e-rickshaws in Delhi?
1. There are approximately 2,000 e-rickshaws operating illegally
The Delhi government’s decision comes amid concerns over a large number of unregistered e-rickshaws operating in the city.
While it is estimated that around 4 lakh e-rickshaws ply on Delhi’s roads, only 2,05,665 are officially registered.
This means that nearly 2,000 vehicles are operating outside the regulatory framework, making enforcement and monitoring difficult.
2. Increased traffic congestion throughout the city
The rapid increase in the number of e-rickshaws has contributed to traffic jams in several parts of Delhi, officials said.
The areas surrounding metro stations, markets and residential complexes witnessed congestion due to the concentration of these vehicles, prompting the authorities to impose a maximum limit to better manage traffic flow.
Read also | E-rickshaw registrations to start from May 15 with new rules in Delhi
3. Concerns about road safety
The government has cited road safety risks as the main reason for imposing this limit.
According to officials, many unauthorized e-rickshaws do not comply with prescribed safety norms and operate without valid documents. This limit is expected to help authorities identify and regulate vehicles that meet safety requirements.
4. Uncontrolled growth of the sector
The draft policy notes that the e-rickshaw sector has expanded rapidly over the years without any effective cap or route regulation.
The government believes that setting a fleet cap is necessary to prevent the excessive spread of e-rickshaws and subject the sector to a structured regulatory framework.
5. Repeated complaints from entities and residents
Transport Ministry officials said law enforcement agencies, civic authorities and residents have repeatedly raised concerns about illegal operations, crowding and unsafe movement of e-rickshaws.
The proposed cap, along with stricter registration standards and enforcement drivers, aims to address these complaints and improve overall urban mobility.
Key numbers
• Total e-rickshaws operating in Delhi: around 4,00,000
• Registered e-rickshaws: 2,05,665
• Estimated number of illegal/unregistered e-rickshaws: about 2,00,000
