Maharashtra transport commissioner Avinash Dhakne has directed the RTOs to register complaints with the police against e-bike manufacturers for modification
MUMBAI: Amid rising cases of electric bikes exploding and catching fire, the transport commissioner’s office has directed Regional Transport Offices (RTO) to monitor and take action against e-bikes manufacturers selling high-voltage batteries for the vehicles. Maharashtra transport commissioner Avinash Dhakne has directed the RTOs to register complaints with the police against e-bike manufacturers for modification. A special drive for the inspection of such vehicles has been launched.
As per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, e-bikes with a battery capacity of less than 250 watts and a speed limit of 25 kmph are exempted from registration and motor vehicle taxes. The vehicles, however, have to be certified by certain institutes authorised by the government.
“It has been observed that some vehicle manufacturers sell e-bikes without a certificate from a recognised organisation. Also, by illegally modifying the e-bikes, the battery capacity of such vehicles are increased to more than 250 watts. This is likely to pose serious threats to road safety if the vehicles are sold in an illegal manner. There have also been frequent reports of e-bikes catching fire,” states the circular.
It also asks citizens to check for vehicle certification and any unauthorised alterations to the vehicles. The manufacturers fit e-bikes with higher capacity batteries in order to increase the speed.
Transport experts have stated that as electric vehicle registrations go up, small manufacturers of e-bikes must be monitored for modification. “Initially, there were only a limited number of vehicles, but now, they have increased rapidly and are becoming a part of daily life. Registrations and certification of the vehicles should be the norm. Further, the modifications of vehicles are causing incidents of fire and are a safety hazard. The monitoring of small manufacturers of e-bikes is very crucial,” said AV Shenoy.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
Punjab farmers stocking up wheat in hopes to sell at higher price later
There is a gap of 12-13 lakh tonnes of wheat that has not reached the grain markets for procurement in Punjab and is believed to have been stocked up by farmers in anticipation of fetching a higher price in the open market at a later stage. Reportedly, some portion of wheat has been bought by traders directly from farmers, which secretary food and supplies, Punjab, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh refused to confirm.
-
Maharashtra clocks 300-plus Covid cases for second consecutive day
Mumbai: For the second day straight, Maharashtra clocked over 300 fresh Covid-19 cases, recording 316 new infections. Mumbai with 223 new Covid-19 cases has breached the 200-mark for the second time this month, taking the caseload to 1,061,341. The state did not record any Covid-related fatalities on Thursday. In the past 24 hours, the state tested 28,449 samples and had a positivity rate of 1.11%.
-
Ludhiana | Police chief warns cops against embarrassing dept by stealing power
Commissioner of police Kaustubh Sharma directed station house officers, and police post in-charges to apply for a new power connection, if they did nit have one. Five police establishments – including a women’s cell, the Marado police post, Samrala police station – were found stealing electricity by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited officials.
-
-
Decomposed body of woman found in Prayagraj
Decomposed body of a woman, 45, was found in a ditch outside Bichhia village under Nawabganj police station of trans-Ganga area. According to reports, locals spotted the body on Thursday morning and informed police. SHO of Nawabganj police station Rakesh Rai reached the spot and carried out investigations. Investigations were on into the incident, Rai added. Cattle smuggler held, 30 cattle rescued Nawabganj police rescued 30 cattle and arrested a person on Thursday.