AGARTALA:
The Tripura High Court has directed the state government and municipal councils to immediately ensure that no unregistered rickshaws ply on the roads.
A division bench of Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice S G Chattopadhyay was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea on unregulated/unregistered plying of rickshaws in Agartala in particular, and Tripura in general.
“We are clearly of the considered view that it is essential that unregistered rickshaws are plying throughout the state of Tripura and, therefore, consequently unregulated. We, therefore, direct the respondent state as well as Agartala Municipal Corporation and all other Municipal Councils and bodies to immediately ensure that unregistered rickshaws must be prevented from plying,” the Court said.
During the hearing, the court observed that the safety and security of pedal rickshaws, which some pullers have illegally fitted batteries with, is the main issue of contention as battery-powered rickshaws exceed the speed limit and often lead to accidents. The Court said that due to that, safety and security of both the passengers as well as the rickshaw pullers are at stake
The Court further directed the state that necessary registration be effected in accordance with the rules framed by the state there under, provided strict compliance of the regulations are made at the time of registration and frequent inspection is also required to be carried out to ensure that compliance is made even while operating the rickshaw in the interest of the rickshaw puller and of the public.
“With the above observations, the public interest litigation stands disposed of,” the Court’s order read.