Electric Rickshaw Banned In This City Because They Are Causing Air Pollution! How Is This Even Possible?

Electrically powered auto-rickshaws have been banned by the municipal body of Lucknow. 

The reason – air pollution!

Read on to find out all the details about this very peculiar rule in Lucknow!

Electric Auto Rickshaws Banned On 11 Routes In Lucknow; Why?

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation has banned the use of electric rickshaws on 11 prominent routes. This includes Hazratganj, Gomtinagar, and Alambagh. 

As per the notification issued by the municipal corporation, air pollution is one of the reasons for this ban. The notification has been undersigned by the city commissioner DK Thakur.

It states, “To improve the management of traffic in the city of Lucknow, it has been decided to revise the guidelines using provisions under Section 115 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Rule 178 of Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicle Rules, 1998, for plying of electric rickshaws in 11 routes in the city.”

Some other reasons stated are public safety, traffic jams, and the convenience of citizens. 

As per Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Subash Chandra Shakya, there are 31000 e-rickshaws registered in the city. However, there are no routes decided for plying them. He has also stated that these e-rickshaws are an inconvenience to both commuters and the public. 

11 Routes On Which E-Auto Rickshaws Are Banned

This ban is also implemented on 11 routes, including:

1. From Hazratganj crossing to Sikandarabad crossing
   From Hazratganj crossing to Bandariyabagh crossing
2. From Hazratganj crossing to Parivartan Chowk crossing
3. From Bandariyabagh crossing to Polytechnic crossing via Lohia Path
4. Amausi to Barabirwa crossing
5. From Ahimamau to Arjunganj market and Lalbatti crossing
6. From Pickup bridge to Vijayipur underpass via Indira Gandhi Prathisthan crossing
7. On the roads from Indira Gandhi Prathisthan to Gomti Nagar railway station and High Court gate number 2
8. From Badshahnagar crossing to Lekhraj and Polytechnic crossing
9. From the Polytechnic crossing to the Munshipulia crossing.
10. Shaheed Path and Hazratganj market
11. From Hazratganj to Burlington hotel crossing via Royal hotel crossing.

Lucknow is the 16th most polluted city in the world and has an average PM 2.5 level of 86 g/m3 annually. This is more than 17 times the approved limit by WHO, which is 0-5 g/m3.

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