AGARTALA, M​ay 7 (TIWN): With allegation raised against the authenticity of the batteries and other spare parts used in the e-rickshaws the officials of transport departments on Saturday thronged at the manufacturing unit of the e-rickshaws at Gurkhabasti and other places.

Allegations were raised that the spare parts used in the battery run e-rickshaws are not authentic products and the parts are duplicate. It is further alleged that the spare parts used in the e-rickshaws are brought from China and are not original products.

It is to be mentioned here that the duplicate spare parts used in the e-rickshaws raises the risk factor and there are maximum chance of accidents on the roads.

Tripura government has recently mandated registration, license, insurance and all other related documents for all battery run vehicles. E-rickshaws have emerged as energy efficient, non-polluting, slow moving, economical and easily manoeuvrable mode of public transport, due to their small sizes and provide excellent last-mile connectivity for metro and bus users.

And a section of city passengers had chosen to ply on e-rickshaws popularly known as ‘Tom-tom’ here in Agartala as it comes as more convenient in regard of fare and easy move but at the same time it also risks according to another section of passengers who claim that the e-rickshaws which ply across the state may turn anytime as the vehicle is very light.

“Tripura was the first state in the country that framed separate rules for e-rickshaws," Union ministry of road transport and highways has brought battery-operated rickshaws under Motor Vehicles Act 1988, amended in 2015.

At present Tripura have 12000 battery-operated e-rickshaws, 23,000 auto-rickshaws and 300 buses for mass transportation in the state.

The four-seated battery-operated rickshaws - locally known as tom-tom or tuk-tuk - have become very popular among commuters in Tripura after they started operating six months ago.

However, the battery-operated rickshaws encountered a minor glitch after their launch. Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners strongly objected to these eco-friendly vehicles, fearing loss in their business as the fare of the newly-introduced Chinese-made vehicles were cheaper (minimum Rs 5) than that of the auto-rickshaws. This led the state government to think about bringing the battery-operated rickshaws under MV Act.