Rs 2,000 fine for blocking lanes for e-rickshaws

Obstructing the movement of e-rickshaws in non-motorised vehicle (NMV) lanes, including cycle tracks, will now attract a penalty of Rs 2,000 in the national capital. Those obstructing movement of e-rickshaws in the form of parking or encroachment in NMV lanes will also be penalised.

A notification issued by deputy secretary (state transport authority) V.K. Mongia said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 15 read with clause (41) of section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), the lieutenant governor of the national capital territory of Delhi, on being satisfied that it is necessary to regulate the uninterrupted movement of non motorised vehicles in the interest of public safety and convenience of general public of Delhi, wherever such lanes have been provided and indicated by boards/signages, do hereby, prohibits the plying and idle parking of all categories of motor vehicles on NMV lanes indicated / demarcated for their movement duly created by road owning agencies on such roads / areas in their respective areas of jurisdiction in Delhi roads / areas of the national capital territory of Delhi.”

The notification said that these prohibitions shall not be applicable during emergent situations to such motor vehicles attending to emergency services when proceeding on such duties on the NMV lanes. “The violation of these orders shall attract a fine of Rs 2,000 in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 194 of the said Act,” reads the notification.

The L-G has, however, authorised officers of the rank of assistant sub-inspector of the Delhi traffic police and above and the ones of the rank of head constables and above of the city government’s transport department to fine the offenders. The notification has been issued on the basis of a proposal moved by PWD minister Satyendra Jain to Raj Niwas last month. Way back in 2014, the Union urban development ministry had told the Delhi high court that non-motorised vehicle lanes should be provided on priority in Delhi.

As per a rough estimate, NMV lanes are spread over 30 km of roads, but most of which are either used for parking or encroached by locals. NMV lanes are marked on roads so that motorists do not obstruct plying of cycles and e-rickshaws in such lanes.