Mumbai

The Government of Maharashtra has decided to make permits mandatory for passenger-carrying electric rickshaws and e-bikes in a move aimed at ensuring uniform regulations in the sector, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Friday.

The decision comes as the state transport department has indicated that it will stop issuing new permits for conventional autorickshaws with yellow-and-black registration plates. It has also temporarily suspended permits issued to three operators for the use of e-bikes.

Until now, electric rickshaws were not required to obtain a separate permit for passenger transport, Sarnaik’s office said in a statement. However, with the growing number of electric vehicles, the state government has decided to make permits compulsory to ensure uniform rules across passenger transport services.

Under the new decision, taken in accordance with a central notification issued on June 30, 2016, passenger-carrying e-rickshaws and e-bikes will be required to display number plates with a green background and yellow lettering.

“With this step, uniform rules will apply to conventional autorickshaws, taxis and electric rickshaws engaged in passenger transport. The objective is to bring transparency in the system and prevent irregularities,” Sarnaik said.

Officials said making permits mandatory for all passenger transport vehicles would bring greater discipline in the sector, improve compliance with regulations and help ensure safer and more regulated services for commuters.

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The transport department is also preparing to introduce a “single-window system” to simplify the permit process, including the submission of applications, verification of documents and approval procedures, the statement added.