CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Cabinet, on Monday, approved the rules for grant of aggregator licences. Under this, all vehicles inducted in the fleet of aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities in NCR areas will mandatorily be CNG, electric vehicles (EVs), battery-operated vehicles (BOV) or based on any other cleaner fuel. Additionally, only CNG or Electric 3-wheeler auto-rickshaws will be allowed to be inducted into existing fleets in the National Capital Region (NCR).The Haryana Cabinet, which met on last Monday under the chairmanship of chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved the rules for grant of aggregator licences under the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993, in line with guidelines issued by the ministry of road transport and highways and directions of the commission for air quality management (CAQM).The CAQM, in June last year, had said that no new petrol or diesel-powered vehicles will be allowed to be added to the fleets of cab aggregators, delivery companies and e-commerce firms operating in Delhi-NCR from January 1, 2026.The decision has been taken to promote clean mobility, curb vehicular pollution and improve air quality in NCR districts of the state, as per an official statement.“Under the amended rules, all vehicles inducted in the fleet of aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities in NCR areas from January 1, 2026 onwards will mandatorily be CNG, Electric Vehicles (EV), Battery Operated Vehicles (BOV) or based on any other cleaner fuel…,” it said.The Cabinet also approved substitution of Rule 86A of the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993 to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for app-based passenger aggregators and delivery service providers operating in the state.The new provisions include compulsory licensing for aggregators and delivery service providers, onboarding rules for drivers and vehicles, passenger safety measures and grievance redressal systems. They also include induction and refresher training programmes, insurance coverage for drivers and passengers, cyber security compliance for apps and regulation of fares.As per the approved rules, aggregators and delivery service providers will be required to ensure minimum insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh for passengers, health insurance of at least Rs 5 lakh for drivers and term insurance of minimum Rs 10 lakh for onboarded drivers.The rules also make it obligatory to install vehicle location tracking devices, panic buttons, first-aid kits and fire extinguishers in applicable vehicles. Aggregators will also be required to establish 24×7 control rooms and call centres for passenger assistance and grievance redressal.To strengthen transparency and accountability, the rules provide for digital authentication of vehicle and driver details through the VAHAN and SARATHI portals. Aggregators and delivery service providers will also be required to maintain detailed digital records of onboarded drivers and vehicles.The Cabinet was informed that the registration and licensing process for aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities will be carried out through the designated portal, i.e., cleanmobility.haryanatransport.gov.in.The new framework includes provisions regarding driver welfare, fare sharing, safety standards, inclusion of divyangjan-friendly vehicles and gradual transition towards electric mobility.Ahead of the cabinet meeting, Haryana transport minister Anil Vij said that a proposal has been sent to the government to provide 100% tax exemption on EVs in the state.“The proposal has been sent to provide 100% tax exemption on electric vehicles in Haryana on the lines of Chandigarh and Delhi, with the objective of encouraging people to purchase electric vehicles,” Vij told reporters.At the moment, Haryana offers a 20% concession on EV registration fees. Vij said that if tax relief is provided on EVs, public inclination towards electric vehicles will increase rapidly. He also said the state government is going to purchase 500 electric buses.(With inputs from PTI)
