Progressing on a more sustainable last-mile connectivity, Delhi’s first electric Gramin Sewa vehicle breaks ground. Authorities expect a smoother transition to cleaner transport with the new government.
On Tuesday, Delhi witnessed the official registration of its first electric Gramin Sewa vehicle. As the capital is seeing more encouragement for sustainable transportation, this new electric vehicle, intended for last-mile connectivity, has seating for six passengers along with the driver.
Gramin Sewa, which was introduced in 2011, is a para-transit system that uses high-capacity three-wheelers in rural areas, unauthorised settlements, and JJ clusters. These vehicles are essential for offering affordable transport options to the less accessible areas of Delhi.
As part of a larger initiative to tackle pollution and support clean mobility, the Delhi government has required the replacement of all CNG-powered Gramin Sewa vehicles registered under the 2010-11 scheme with electric models.
A September 2024 directive from the transport department mandated that replacement vehicles must be electric, have a seating capacity of no more than six passengers plus a driver, and meet the approval criteria of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
About 6000 Gramin Sewa autorickshaws were initially registered, but it is estimated that only 2000 to 3000 are still in operation.
Owners wishing to replace their vehicles are required to apply through an online process based on Aadhaar or Enrolment ID in cases where Aadhaar is unavailable. They must also obtain a no-dues certificate within seven days to ensure there are no outstanding dues or legal issues.
With the first electric Gramin Sewa vehicle now on the road, authorities hope this transition will gain speed with the help of government incentives and necessary infrastructure improvements.
Welcoming this change as a significant achievement, Chandu Chaurasia, the President of the Gramin Sewa Union in Delhi, thanked the transport department, the government, and the new administration in a statement. He also spoke about government subsidies to ease the transition.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s new government is set to begin its journey today, with Rekha Gupta taking the oath as the ninth Chief Minister.
