Ban on three-wheelers’ registration in Agartala

Agartala: Tripura govt on Tuesday decided to stop registration of three-wheeler passenger and goods vehicles from July 10 for Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) area, transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury said. The initiative aims to manage traffic congestion and facilitate sustainable urban mobility.
In 1871, the city was planned for 500 people. The same infrastructure in the central part of Agartala has now been managing the pressure of over six lakh people.
Although the city was expanded and municipal amenities have been extended at least three times, road space has been reduced in the main city due to pedestrian strips, parking, drainage and roadside facilities, Chowdhury added.
Apart from public transport, a huge number of private vehicles, two-wheelers, battery-converted tri-cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws have added to the woes over the years. Since the old city is spread over only a five sqkm area, the traffic bearing capacity has reached an optimum level. This has compelled authorities to put restrictions on new vehicles starting with three-wheelers, the minister said.
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and for the interest of promoting sustainable urban mobility, the transport department imposed a ban on registration of all types of three-wheeler passenger vehicles, including e-rickshaws, e-carts, e-autos, Petrol and Diesel auto & CNG auto and vehicle driven by bio-fuel (methanol & ethanol).
“The notification aims to manage traffic congestion and ensure public safety and convenience, to promote alternative transportation modes by banning the registration of said passengers and goods vehicles in the greater public interest. However, the department shall review the effect of this restriction on urban mobility from time to time and shall have the right to review and amend this notification as per need”, the notification stated.