MP High Court Issues Notice On PIL Seeking Regulation Of E-Rickshaws, Restriction On Their Plying On Highways

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice on a public interest litigation raising concerns regarding the unregulated operation of e-rickshaws in the State.The division bench of Justice Anand Pathak and Justice Pushpendra Yadav, after recording preliminary arguments on admission, directed; "Issue notice to the respondents on payment of process fee within seven working days, returnable within four weeks. In the meanwhile, respondents are directed to file reply". The petition stated that e-rickshaws initially operated in India without legal recognition, leading to widespread concerns about their safety and legality. In 2015, the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Ordinance inserted Section 2A into the Act, 1988 official recognising e-rickshaw as electric vehicles intended for last-mile connectivity. The petition stated that while the amendment allowed the Centre to frame rules on e-rickshaw specifications, it did not provide guidelines for route regulation, permit system or restrictions on high-speed roads. The petition, referring to the MP Motor Vehicle Rules of 1994, noted that the said rules fail to prescribe permissible routes for e-rickshaws, leaving them free to operate on high-speed highways, flyovers, and bypasses. The petition also refers to the MP Economic Survey 2021-22, noting that there is no regulatory framework to prevent e-rickshaws from plying on the roads. The petition stated that such an unregulated operation poses a grave risk to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists, while also creating unfair competition for licensed commercial transport operations, resulting in revenue loss to the State. The petition stated that despite the court passing an order relating to this issue in WP 638/2025, no action was taken by the authorities to frame rules or enforce restrictions. The petition, therefore, sought directions against the Union and State Authorities to frame and notify uniform guidelines regulating the plying of e-rickshaw on National and State Highways. The petition also emphasized that e-rickshaws are structurally vulnerable low speed bechicles which are inherently unsafe on high-speed highways and unregulated operation of the same violates consitutional right to life under Article 21. The petition also sought directions to ensure e-rickshaw operations stay within municipal limits, service roads and predesignated feeder routes only. Case Title: Nisha Gurjar v Union of India, WP-12718-2026For Petitioner: Advocate Varun Kaushik For State: Government Advocate GK Agrawal For Union: Deputy Solicitor General Praveen Kumar NewaskarClick here to read/download the Order

MP High Court Issues Notice On PIL Seeking Regulation Of E-Rickshaws, Restriction On Their Plying On Highways

Jayanti Pahwa

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