Archive · 8 Aug 2026
West Bengal orders police to enforce e-rickshaw highway restriction
E-rickshaws are small electric vehicles that carry people short distances.
In West Bengal, people call them totos.
The government says they should only be used on small, local roads.
Driving them on big highways is not allowed.
Many totos were operating on highways, which can cause traffic jams and safety problems.
The transport department received complaints about this.
So it wrote a letter to the police, asking them to strictly enforce the ban.
Police can take action against rule-breakers under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
The rule is based on an older order from July 28, 2016.
Nobody knows exactly how many totos are on the roads, but the number could be in the thousands.
West Bengal's Transport Department directed police to strictly enforce restrictions on e-rickshaws, known as totos, on highways and major roads.
The directive was issued in a letter by Principal Secretary (Transport) Ravi Inder Singh.
The department said e-rickshaws are meant primarily for last-mile connectivity and their operation on major roads is prohibited under existing guidelines.
The restriction references a state government memorandum of July 28, 2016, which allowed e-rickshaws only on designated local roads.
Violators face action under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; the department has no official data but estimates e-rickshaw numbers could run into several thousands.
- Who
- The West Bengal Transport Department, through Principal Secretary (Transport) Ravi Inder Singh, directing state police.
- What
- Strict enforcement of restrictions prohibiting e-rickshaws (totos) from operating on National Highways, State Highways and other major roads.
- When
- The directive was issued on a Saturday; the specific date is not given in the article.
- Where
- West Bengal, India, targeting National Highways, State Highways and other major roads across the state.
- Why
- The department received complaints about e-rickshaws violating guidelines, causing traffic congestion and raising safety concerns.
- Issuing authority
- West Bengal Transport Department
- Official in charge
- Ravi Inder Singh, Principal Secretary (Transport)
- Directive
- Strictly enforce restrictions on e-rickshaws (totos) on highways and major roads
- Reference order
- State government memorandum of July 28, 2016
- Applicable law
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Reason
- Complaints of traffic congestion and safety concerns
- Permitted use
- Last-mile connectivity on designated local roads
- E-rickshaw estimate
- Several thousands, with no official data available