IAMAI Says Delhi Govt’s Bike Taxi Regulations Virtually Impossible To Meet

SUMMARY

IAMAI said that the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023 will affect the livelihoods of the gig workers in the sector

The EV ecosystem is new in India and finding charging stations is still a challenge, expressed IAMAI

Recently, 40 Rapido drivers submitted memorandum at Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot’s office seeking intervention

Reacting to the Delhi government’s Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has said due to the lack of EV infrastructure in the capital, the ambitious target of the government is virtually impossible to meet.

“It is imperative the government recognise that the paucity of charging stations and battery-swapping infrastructure in the capital make the scheme’s ambitious targets virtually impossible to meet,” IAMAI said in a statement.

Simultaneously, the body expressed concerns over its possible impacts on the gig workers of the region.

Under this scheme the government will allow ebike-taxis to run only with electric two wheelers.

Citing this, IAMAI reacted that if implemented as envisioned, this could adversely impact the livelihoods of countless gig workers across Delhi. According to IAMAI, the EV ecosystem needs to grow in the country but being a nascent one such abrupt regulations could affect the livelihoods.

Achieving the EV conversion target through such measures pose a threat to the gig workers’ who have taken loans to purchase in internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles to earn from such bike-taxi gigs.

On top of that, as of now, high costs are associated with owning an EV which becomes financially challenging for most gig workers. “The target of 100% electrification of bike taxis operating in Delhi right from the outset also raises serious concerns as the lack of a moratorium for bike taxis could render numerous gig workers without work overnight,” IAMAI added.

On this ground, bike taxi aggregator Rapido caught up in a legal battle with the Delhi government. The Delhi High Court (HC) had put a stay order on the government’s regulation, while the latter moved the Supreme Court (SC) challenging HC’s decision. As a blow to Uber and Rapido, the apex court stayed the order of the HC.

The issue has been prevailing across the capital city for some time. Owing to this, a group of 40 bike taxi drivers sought Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot’s intervention against any enforcement or action by the city government against them. A memorandum was submitted at Gahlot’s office in this regard.