Prayagraj: Preparations by the state government to make 2027 Magh Mela a grand event are gaining momentum. Apart from establishing connectivity between Prayagraj and various locations across the country, a blue print is being drafted to cover all internal city routes with pollution-free transport services. For that, the mela administration has planned several steps to streamline and organize the operation of e-rickshaws and e-autos within the city. In accordance with section 28-D of the Motor Vehicles Act and Rule 14 of the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, the Divisional Commissioner Lokesh M has mandated specific uniforms and badges for all e-rickshaw and e-auto drivers. Drivers will now be required to wear a uniform consisting of a khaki shirt/coat and trousers. Additionally, to ensure driver identification, they must display a badge containing their name, mobile number, vehicle registration number, and address. The Divisional Commissioner has instructed the RTO to identify drivers and take the necessary steps to ensure they wear the prescribed uniforms and badges.SP Singh, Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement) Prayagraj, states that currently, over 41,000 e-rickshaws are operating across various routes in the division. These vehicles are required to undergo a fitness check every two years. So far, fitness certification has been issued for 15,176 e-rickshaws, and the process is underway for the remaining ones. He adds that, following directives from the Divisional Commissioner, a comprehensive survey of e-rickshaws is being conducted in the city ahead of the Magh Mela. The city will be divided into various zones or sectors as needed, enabling the effective implementation of clustering and route allocation strategies. The administration is also formulating an action plan to establish designated roadside parking for e-rickshaws, remove unsafe vehicles from the roads, and upgrade the city bus stands. Furthermore, drivers will receive soft-skills training to ensure they interact courteously with visitors arriving from across the country and abroad for the Magh Mela.. Transitioning to electric auto-rickshaws—as a means to curb the use of diesel and petrol-powered public transport—is part of this initiative and Sangam city is among the four cities in Uttar Pradesh selected for this program.Alongside Prayagraj’s growing population, there has been a rapid increase in the number of diesel and petrol-run vehicles in the city, placing significant strain on the urban transport system. Electric or battery-operated vehicles now account for 72 % of the city transport in Prayagraj. Driven by the government’s policy to promote electric vehicles for environmental conservation, the use of electric autos in the city’s public transport system has surged rapidly, following the earlier adoption of e-rickshaws and e-buses.
