The decision affects thousands of drivers and passengers, raising concerns over job security and access to affordable transport, particularly in rural communities.
The Bihar government has imposed a statewide ban on the movement of e-rickshaws on national and state highways, citing serious safety concerns. The order, issued by the transport department, directs district transport officers to enforce the restriction with immediate effect.
According to the notification, nearly 10,000 km of highways across Bihar have been declared off-limits for e-rickshaws. This includes 3,617 km of state highways and 6,389 km of national highways. In the capital city of Patna, the ban will apply to major arterial routes such as the New Bypass, Bihta–Sarmera Road, Patna–Gaya Road, and the Phulwarisharif–Danapur–Bihta Road, officials said.
Safety concerns cited
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Bihar transport minister Shravan Kumar said highways are designed for high-speed vehicular traffic and are unsuitable for slow-moving vehicles like e-rickshaws.
“Highways are meant for trucks, buses and cars. The presence of slow-moving e-rickshaws significantly increases the risk of accidents,” the minister said. He added that e-rickshaws lack robust braking systems required to handle sudden stops or sharp turns at high speeds, posing a threat to both passengers and other road users.
The transport department’s order further noted that the low speed and lightweight structure of e-rickshaws make them vulnerable on highways, often leading to collisions and damage to life and property.
Ban extended to ‘jugaad’ vehicles
Alongside e-rickshaws, the government has also announced a complete ban on jugaad vehicles on highways. These improvised vehicles—typically assembled using motorcycle engines, wooden planks and scrap materials—are widely used in rural areas for transporting people and goods.
Officials said jugaad vehicles usually operate without registration, insurance or fitness certificates, in direct violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. “These vehicles do not meet any technical or safety standards. Their braking systems are unreliable and basic safety features like headlights and indicators are often missing,” a senior transport official said.
Drivers and commuters express concern
While the government has defended the move on safety grounds, the ban has triggered widespread concern among e-rickshaw drivers and commuters, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where these vehicles are a primary mode of transport.
Thousands of drivers fear a sharp loss of income, especially those who rely on highway-adjacent routes to ferry passengers. Many said they were already struggling due to intensified enforcement drives in recent months and worry that the new restriction could further erode their livelihoods.
Himanshu Kumar, general secretary of the E-rickshaw Drivers’ Association, criticised the decision, calling it politically motivated.
“This decision is completely politically motivated. Other auto and cab associations want e-rickshaws to be removed from the roads altogether. There are around 18,000–20,000 e-rickshaws in Patna district, and nearly 8,000 of them will be directly affected. Across Bihar, more than three lakh e-rickshaws are operating,” he said.
Impact on daily mobility
Passengers have also raised concerns about the impact on daily commuting. Rajesh Gupta, a resident of Patna’s Kankarbagh area, said people living along bypass stretches would face serious difficulties. “Autos don’t operate inside many residential colonies. E-rickshaws are often the only option,” he said.
Highlighting affordability, Naubatpur resident Ramesh Sinha said e-rickshaws are crucial for low-income families. “If we have to go to Bairiya bus stand or Patna Junction with family and luggage, e-rickshaws are cheaper than autos,” he said.
With highways now closed to e-rickshaws, commuters fear being forced to depend on costlier or less convenient transport, while drivers worry about losing access to key routes that sustain their earnings—setting the stage for continued debate over safety versus livelihood in Bihar’s transport landscape.
Author’s comment:
The Bihar government’s decision to bar e-rickshaws and jugaad vehicles from highways underscores a growing policy dilemma: how to balance road safety with affordable mobility and livelihoods. While the safety rationale is hard to ignore on high-speed corridors, the ban risks disproportionately affecting low-income drivers and commuters who depend on e-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity.
Unless accompanied by alternative routes, designated lanes, or rehabilitation measures for drivers, the move could deepen transport inequities even as it seeks to make highways safer.
