Delhi Caps E-Rickshaw Fleet at 2.5 Lakh to Tackle Urban Chaos

In a decisive move to rein in Delhi's burgeoning fleet of e-rickshaw, the Government of NCT of Delhi has unveiled a draft scheme proposing a strict city-wide cap of 2.5 lakh vehicles. This landmark decision, made public on Sunday, October 18, 2026, aims to tackle severe traffic congestion, bolster road safety, and curb the escalating environmental pollution caused by their unchecked growth across the capital. The Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026, now open for public feedback, signals a major regulatory overhaul for the city's vital informal transport sector. The proposed regulations go beyond just numbers, introducing stringent measures like mandatory digital E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate (ECC) for every vehicle, linking them to specific drivers, and limiting individual ownership to five e-rickshaw. Large fleet operators with 25 or more vehicles will now require an Aggregator license and must provide adequate charging infrastructure. This framework directly addresses the long-standing issue of unregulated proliferation, which has contributed to chaotic traffic, particularly around metro stations and narrow streets, while also impacting the livelihoods of genuine drivers. With a 30-day window for public and stakeholder suggestions, the Transport Department is poised to finalize the scheme. Once implemented, existing e-rickshaw owners will have 90 days to comply with the new registration and certification requirements. The outcome will reshape urban mobility in Delhi, balancing the need for last-mile connectivity with critical concerns over infrastructure strain and environmental impact, setting a precedent for other Indian cities facing similar challenges.