The Centre today told the Delhi High Court that it allowed the running of motorised four- wheelers, quadricycle, in cities across India as it is safer than auto rickshaws and have lockable doors that prevents overloading.
A bench of justices G Rohini and R S Endlaw was told by the Centre that they are not replacing three wheelers but are giving a better option to the public for improving intra-city transportation.
"Quadricycle has a number of advantages over auto rickshaws in terms of safety. It (quadricycle) has the provision for safety belts for drivers and passengers. It has two head lamps to enhance front visibility. The four-wheeled vehicle may ave better stability as compared to three-wheeled vehicle.
"It has other safety features like signaling devices and wipers. It has provision for closed luggage space which is incapable of being misused to accomodate passengers. Seating capacity of the vehicle is the same as that of three wheelers," an affidavit prepared by the Under Secretary to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said.
The counter affidavit was filed through central government's Standing Counsel Monika Arora on the plea filed by two Supreme Court lawyers, Kirti Mishra and Arvind Sharma, who said though quadricycle is used in many parts of the world as personal transport vehicles, they have proven to be "unsafe on many parameters".
They have alleged the Centre's move was to favour some industrial houses which have the vehicles ready to ply on roads from October 1.
The quadricycles have a hard top and doors and are largely expected to replace the auto-rickshaws.
The petitioners have contended that the Centre, before issuing its February 9 notification, should have considered and implemented the safety measures suggested by an expert committee.
