Maharashtra govt makes permits mandatory for e-rickshaws, e-bikes used for passenger transport

The Maharashtra government has decided to make permits mandatory for electric rickshaws and ebikes used for passenger transport Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced on ThursdayThe move comes as the state temporarily suspended the process of issuing new permits for traditional rickshaws and taxis over the past two days while reviewing regulations in the passenger transport sectorPermit requirement for electric passenger vehiclesAccording to Sarnaik electric rickshaws erickshaws were earlier not required to obtain a separate permit for carrying passengers However with the rapid rise in the number of electric vehicles on roads the state government has now decided to bring them under the permit frameworkThe decision has been taken in accordance with the Central Governments Notification No SO 2812E dated June 30 2016 which allows states to regulate electric vehicles used for passenger transportWith the new rule erickshaws and ebikes operating as passenger vehicles will be required to obtain proper registration and permits from the Motor Vehicles DepartmentAim to ensure uniform regulationsSarnaik said the decision is aimed at ensuring uniform regulations across all modes of passenger transportTraditional rickshaws taxis and electric rickshaws should operate under the same regulatory framework he said adding that the move would bring greater transparency to passenger transport operations and help curb irregularitiesSingle window scheme plannedThe Maharashtra Transport Department is also working on introducing a Single Window Scheme to simplify the permit processUnder this system applicants will be able to complete permitrelated procedures mdash including submission of applications document verification and approvals mdash at a single location in a streamlined mannerFocus on safer and regulated transportDespite efforts to simplify the process the government has clarified that permits will remain mandatory for all types of passenger transport vehiclesSarnaik said the new rules would help improve discipline in the passenger transport system ensure compliance with regulations and provide commuters with safer and betterregulated services in the futureMaharashtra to build modern lsquobusportsrsquo across state on Gujarat model Transport Minister Pratap SarnaikTransport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday during the ongoing Maharashtra Budget Session 2026 said that the government has decided to build modern lsquobusportsrsquo across the state on the lines of GujaratThe state transport minister said that a new policy has been formulated for the comprehensive development of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC depots and bus stations