Tripura’s illegal motorized rickshaw boom raises alarming safety and legal concerns. Unregulated, uninsured, and unstable, these modified vehicles are causing rising accidents as the state hesitates to act, torn between protecting livelihoods and enforcing transport safety laws.
What once symbolized the slow, human-powered rhythm of Tripura’s towns has now turned into a speeding hazard. The humble three-wheeled rickshaw—once entirely dependent on muscle and endurance—has undergone a quiet but dangerous transformation across the state.
To ease the back-breaking labour of pedalling, rickshaw operators have increasingly converted their vehicles by fitting small electric or combustion engines. These modifications, though convenient, are entirely illegal. And with this unregulated motorization has come a disturbing rise in accidents and safety concerns.
From Pedal Power to Motor Might
The traditional rickshaw was a sustainable, low-cost mode of transport, cherished by both drivers and passengers. But for many ageing drivers, constant pedalling under harsh weather became unbearable. The advent of inexpensive motors provided what seemed to be a lifeline—reducing physical strain and increasing daily earnings.
“Earlier, I could make only five to six trips a day. Now I can do almost double,” said a driver from Agartala’s Motor Stand area. But the boost in efficiency has come at a price: safety.
A Growing List of Accidents
Several recent incidents involving these modified rickshaws have raised alarm bells. From Ramnagar and Lal Bahadur areas in Agartala to Udaipur’s market zones, mishaps have become frequent—vehicles overturning, passengers thrown off, or brakes failing unexpectedly.
Most incidents are minor and go unreported, but eyewitnesses recount numerous near-misses. “They move too fast now. Sometimes they even race with scooters on narrow lanes,” said a local shopkeeper in Udaipur.
A Legal Grey Zone
The issue extends beyond safety. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, any vehicle equipped with a motor—regardless of its size—must be registered, insured, and meet prescribed safety standards. None of these retrofitted rickshaws comply.
This means that, legally, they are not fit for public roads, and any accident involving them leaves victims without insurance or legal recourse. Yet, hundreds continue to operate daily under the nose of the administration.
Administrative Inaction
Officials acknowledge the problem but are caught in a moral dilemma. A senior transport officer, requesting anonymity, admitted, “We know these vehicles are illegal. But if we suddenly crack down, thousands of poor drivers will lose their only livelihood. The government doesn’t want to be seen as heartless.”
This reluctance to enforce the law has created a policy paralysis, where neither safety nor livelihood is adequately protected.
Unsafe by Design
Physics and mechanical experts point out that traditional rickshaw frames are not engineered for motorized speeds. The long wheelbase, narrow tyres, and lack of suspension make them unstable once powered by a motor.
“The original braking system is designed for slow pedalling. Once motorized, the chassis vibrates, steering becomes erratic, and balance is easily lost,” said a local physics teacher from Agartala. The results are predictable—instability, skidding, and frequent overturning.
Livelihoods vs. Law
For many drivers, this illegal adaptation was an act of survival, not defiance. Daily earnings from traditional pedalling were meagre. The switch to motor assistance helped them compete with battery-operated e-rickshaws and maintain income levels amid inflation.
However, critics argue that economic hardship cannot justify risking lives. “The government must find a middle path—either legalize and regulate motor-fitted rickshaws with safety certification, or replace them with subsidized e-rickshaws,” suggested a transport safety activist in Agartala.
The Road Ahead
The state stands at a critical crossroads. Enforcing the law strictly could protect citizens but devastate thousands of families dependent on these rickshaws. On the other hand, continued inaction could lead to a major tragedy waiting to happen.
Experts recommend a two-pronged approach:
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Immediate enforcement of safety checks and prohibition of unsafe retrofits.
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Introduction of a financial assistance or conversion scheme to help drivers transition to licensed electric rickshaws.
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Until then, the roads of Tripura will continue to echo with the hum of illegal motors—symbols of both innovation and neglect—turning what was once a symbol of hard work and endurance into a potential instrument of peril.
