Nitin Gadkari ¬Union Transport Minister told the government would change the law to revoke a ban on e-rickshaws in the capital and Launch of “Deen Dayal scheme” under which potential buyers of the vehicle would get a loan of 3 per cent interest.
This was not only good news for estimated 1 lakh operators who currently carryout their business in a legal grey zone but also for a company in Nagpur closely linked with Gadkari.
Ashok alias Rajesh Totade – Purti Green Technologies (PGT) director, speak out in his speech at a public meeting on 17 June. “E-rickshaws bearing motor up to 650W will be regarded as non- motorized vehicles. One of the benefits will be –“The traffic police and transport department cannot challan them,” he said to modify the Motor Vehicles Act, and vehicles speed limit up to 25 kmph.
Totade told: To INDIAN EXPRESS “We would not get into any illegitimate. But now with the Centre setting up to change the Act, we will surely support to launch our product in the market.”
Gadkari told: “These rickshaws will be design by different companies. As far as encouraging banks to provide loan to e-rickshaw owners at 3% is concerned, I have already appeal to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union finance minister Shri Arun jaitley to do the needful,” he told the excerpts response to question by the India express and with Gadkari talking of 2crore e-rickshaw units across the country and the average price of a battery-run rickshaw estimated between Rs 70,000 and Rs 100,000.
Gadkari’s interest in e-rickshaws isn’t new. In January 2013, he showcased one of the Purti Green Technologies (PGT) battery-run rickshaws with NCP leader Sharad Pawar by his side at Agro Vision 2013 exhibition which will be held in Nagpur.