Politics · India Bureau
Kerala e-auto operators seek court intervention as subsidy delays mount
Nearly a third of electric autorickshaws operated by a Kerala cooperative have remained idle for over a year as promised government subsidies fail to materialize. The operator body has approached the High Court seeking relief over the delayed Rs. 30,000 per vehicle assistance.
LSN India ·
The Ernakulam Jilla Autorickshaw Drivers Cooperative Society is facing severe operational challenges as 30 of its 105 electric autorickshaws remain out of service due to pending subsidy disbursements. The prolonged delay has prompted the cooperative to file a petition in the Kerala High Court, seeking intervention and expedited release of the promised financial assistance.
Each electric autorickshaw was to receive Rs. 30,000 in government subsidy, a critical component of the cooperative's financial planning. The year-long standstill has left affected drivers without income while their vehicles remain idle, creating hardship for both operators and their families.
The delay underscores ongoing implementation challenges in Kerala's push toward sustainable urban mobility. E-auto initiatives have been promoted as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fuel-based autorickshaws, but inconsistent subsidy disbursement has hindered their adoption and operational viability.
The cooperative's legal recourse reflects growing frustration among transport operators over government funding commitments. The High Court petition seeks not only immediate subsidy release but also clarity on timelines for outstanding payments to other eligible e-auto operators in the district.