E-Rickshaws as Sustainable Last Mile Connectivity in an Urban Dilemma: Case of Delhi

The public transport sector demand in Indian cities has been growing continuously. The Government of India has proposed many transit systems like mass rapid transit system (MRTS), bus rapid transit system (BRTS), and light rail transit system (LRTS), etc. in every big city to address these demands. However, the connectivity of the first-last mile to these terminals is not adequately taken care of. Intermediate para-transit (IPT) like auto rickshaws (three wheeled motor vehicle), cycle-rickshaws (three wheeled cycle), and recently evolved e-rickshaws (battery operated three-wheeled vehicle) serve most of the cases for first-last mile connectivity. In these days, e-rickshaws are serving as the last mile connectivity (LMC) modes at various MRTS stations but have evolved as a response of need by the common people. Due to absence of rule and norms, it is largely being operated informally. Integration of e-rickshaws into the system at the policy as well as at the infrastructure level is needed for the development of an appropriate feeder system. The paper discusses about the need of directions for the seamless operation and integration of the E-rickshaws as the important mode of IPT and LMC option for Delhi in particular and other similar cities in general.