The Allahabad High Court directed Uttar Pradesh to consider limiting fresh e-rickshaw registrations within four weeks. The move targets worsening congestion while requiring enforcement and alternative routes for commuters.Image used for representational purposes onlyLucknow,Nov 2, 2026 23:34 ISTThe Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to decide within four weeks whether fresh registrations of e-rickshaws should be restricted in Lucknow and other cities where their numbers exceed requirements, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The court observed that the unchecked rise in the number of e-rickshaws had contributed to traffic congestion.
It was informed that around 1.33 lakh e-rickshaws were operating in Lucknow and adding significantly to traffic snarls.A Lucknow bench of Justices Alok Mathur and A K Chaudhary issued the direction on Monday while hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Suraj Singh Visen. The bench asked the state government to consider restricting fresh registrations under the Motor Vehicles Act in areas with an excessive number of e-rickshaws.The court clarified that the Centre's exemption from registration fees did not exempt e-rickshaws from the legal requirement of registration to operate on roads.
Referring to Rule 178 of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998, the court observed that the state government had the power to regulate the movement of e-rickshaws.The bench noted that an order issued on May 12, 2022, already prohibited e-rickshaws from operating on several roads in Lucknow, but the restrictions were not being effectively enforced. It directed the Special Investigation Team to ensure strict compliance with the existing restrictions and examine whether similar prohibitions could be extended to other suitable areas.
However, the court said alternative routes must be provided wherever restrictions were imposed to avoid inconvenience to commuters.The authorities were directed to submit a compliance report. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 9, according to Monday's order, PTI reported.In the same PIL, the bench stressed the need for a permanent solution to traffic congestion around Kamta crossing and along the Polytechnic-Kamta-Chinhat stretch.The court was informed that the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, would independently assess traffic flows from different directions, conduct traffic simulation studies and prepare technical and financial proposals for an appropriate action plan.The bench also continued to examine proposals submitted by a committee constituted in the matter and measures taken by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
It directed the departments concerned to coordinate their efforts to improve traffic management in the area.The court's directions seek a decision on limiting new e-rickshaw registrations, stricter enforcement of existing restrictions and coordinated measures to ease congestion, while ensuring that commuters have alternative routes.- Ends