Updated on: October 14, 2025 | New Delhi
A Sunday afternoon turned into a nightmare for two Delhi families, as two separate accidents involving e-rickshaws claimed the lives of two children — both just five years old. The first tragedy unfolded in the congested lanes of West Delhi’s Uttam Nagar, where a little girl, playing outside her grandmother’s home, was crushed to death by an overturned e-rickshaw. Hours later, in South Delhi’s Sangam Vihar, another five-year-old boy met a similar fate when his friend accidentally started a parked e-rickshaw, running him over.
These heartbreaking incidents, occurring within hours of each other, have once again brought to light the alarming rise in accidents involving e-rickshaws in the national capital. The battery-operated three-wheelers, hailed once as a sustainable and affordable transport solution, have now become a growing safety concern — both for pedestrians and passengers.
A Game Interrupted by Death
On Sunday afternoon, the narrow, crowded lanes of Uttam Nagar’s Kali Basti were buzzing with activity. Vendors were selling vegetables by the roadside, rickshaws were weaving through tight corners, and children played outside their homes. Among them was five-year-old Deepanshi Kumari, who had gone to visit her grandmother just a few lanes away from her home.
According to her mother, Babita, 32, Deepanshi often spent weekends at her grandmother’s house. “She was playing right outside in the lane, laughing and running around with other children,” Babita told police later. But just after 4:30 pm, her laughter was silenced in an instant.
Police said that two e-rickshaws were trying to cross each other head-on in the narrow street when one of the drivers, identified as Murari Jha, 39, lost control. The vehicle took a sharp turn, struck the child, and overturned — trapping her underneath. Eyewitnesses rushed to her aid, while locals caught hold of the driver before he could flee.
“She was just a child, playing near the doorstep. The rickshaw came too fast. The driver was trying to squeeze through a space where even walking is difficult,” said Rajesh, a local resident who witnessed the accident. “We lifted the rickshaw and pulled her out, but she was badly injured.”
Deepanshi was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Family’s Anguish and Anger
Back at the family’s modest home in the slum cluster nearby, grief quickly turned to outrage. Her father, Vishal Kumar, 33, a factory worker, broke down while speaking to reporters. “My little girl is gone because of a driver who didn’t care to drive properly. These roads are so congested that even walking is risky. How can rickshaws be allowed here?” he said.
He pointed to a recurring problem across many working-class neighbourhoods of Delhi — unregulated e-rickshaw movement in lanes that are barely wide enough for pedestrians. “They drive wherever they want, however they want. There are no rules, no checks,” he added.
Police arrested the driver, Murari Jha, on the spot and seized the e-rickshaw. A case has been registered under sections related to rash and negligent driving and causing death by negligence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officers said further investigation is underway.
The Second Tragedy in Sangam Vihar
While Uttam Nagar was still reeling from the loss of one child, another tragedy struck in Sangam Vihar, one of Delhi’s largest and most densely populated unauthorized colonies. Around the same time on Sunday afternoon, a five-year-old boy was playing with his friend near a parked water-delivery e-rickshaw.
According to police, the friend accidentally started the ignition of the vehicle, which then moved forward suddenly. The boy was run over and trapped underneath. Residents rushed to pull him out and took him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
“A water-delivery e-rickshaw was parked in the lane. It was accidentally started by a child, resulting in the victim being run over,” said a senior police officer. A case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing.
Both incidents, occurring within a span of a few hours, underline the disturbing lack of regulation, oversight, and basic safety awareness surrounding e-rickshaw operations in the city.
The Rising Toll: Alarming Data on E-Rickshaw Accidents
Data from the Delhi Traffic Police paints a grim picture. Between January 1 and September 15 this year, 24 people have been killed and over 100 injured in 108 road accidents involving e-rickshaws. In 2024, there were 20 such fatal incidents, indicating a sharp rise in deadly accidents despite repeated enforcement drives.
These figures may still underrepresent the true extent of the danger, as many minor crashes and near-miss incidents go unreported, particularly in congested neighbourhoods and informal settlements.
Police officials said that 2,278 e-rickshaws have been impounded this year until September 15, while 4.32 lakh challans (traffic violation notices) have been issued to e-rickshaw drivers. Last year, 3.52 lakh challans were issued — showing a significant year-on-year increase in enforcement actions, but evidently without corresponding improvement in driver behaviour.
An officer explained that in most fatal or injury cases, an FIR is registered under Sections 281 (rash driving), 125(a)(negligent conduct with respect to machinery), and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The cases are also forwarded to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) for compensation proceedings.
Recurring Pattern of Negligence
The Uttam Nagar tragedy follows a string of similar incidents across the city this year. In September, a 16-year-old schoolgirl died and three others, including two minors, were injured when an e-rickshaw overturned at Paharganj Chowk. Police later arrested the driver, Dilip Kumar, 46, who was caught by passersby at the spot. A video of the accident circulated widely on social media, reigniting debate over unlicensed and untrained drivers operating such vehicles in crowded areas.
In May, an eight-year-old girl, Divyanshi Kumari, was killed after she fell from an e-rickshaw in Harsh Vihar, allegedly driven by a 16-year-old. The underage driver was later apprehended.
“These cases are disturbingly similar — untrained, careless, or underage drivers operating e-rickshaws in narrow lanes, resulting in fatalities that could easily have been prevented,” said a senior traffic official. “The lack of driver training and enforcement of licensing requirements is a major factor.”
Why E-Rickshaws Have Become a Double-Edged Sword
When e-rickshaws were introduced in Delhi over a decade ago, they were hailed as a green mobility solution — inexpensive, non-polluting, and ideal for last-mile connectivity. They quickly filled a crucial gap in the city’s transport system, particularly in areas not well-connected to metro stations or bus routes.
Today, there are an estimated 1.5 to 2 lakh e-rickshaws operating in the city, though only about one-third are officially registered. Many operate in congested, unplanned areas like Uttam Nagar, Sangam Vihar, and Seelampur — often without valid licenses, route permits, or insurance.
Experts say that the absence of clear regulations and enforcement has allowed this informal sector to flourish unchecked.
“E-rickshaws were meant to be eco-friendly and safe, but the lack of regulation has turned them into a serious safety hazard,” said Dr. Piyush Tiwari, founder of the SaveLIFE Foundation, a road safety NGO. “Drivers often have no formal training, vehicles are poorly maintained, and they operate in areas with little room for maneuvering. The combination is deadly.”
Lack of Infrastructure and Oversight
Most e-rickshaws operate in lanes not designed for motorized traffic. These areas often lack proper road markings, pedestrian paths, or traffic signals. Without traffic police presence, violations — such as overloading, reckless driving, and wrong-side movement — go unchecked.
Moreover, unlike autos or taxis, e-rickshaw drivers are not required to undergo professional driver training. Many are migrants who take up driving after brief informal lessons. Some even modify their vehicles to carry extra passengers, making them unstable and more prone to accidents.
“There is no proper licensing system for many of these drivers,” said a traffic officer stationed in West Delhi. “We catch many who don’t have valid IDs or permits. Some even operate e-rickshaws borrowed from others for a daily rent.”
Officials also cite another major challenge — the difficulty in enforcing traffic discipline in congested colonies where roads are too narrow for regular patrolling.
Voices from the Ground
Residents of Uttam Nagar say that e-rickshaws have become both a necessity and a nuisance. While they offer cheap transportation, their growing number and reckless movement have made life difficult for pedestrians.
“Earlier, we used to feel safe letting our children play outside. Now we are always scared,” said Sunita Devi, a neighbour of the victim’s grandmother. “Every few days, there’s an accident or near-accident. The lanes are just too small.”
Local shopkeeper Arun Mehta added, “You can see ten rickshaws lined up in a single street. They park anywhere, block access, and then suddenly speed away. There are no rules.”
Traffic police say they have directed beat officers to keep drivers “sensitised” about proper parking and movement. But residents believe that mere warnings are not enough. “Sensitisation won’t bring back our children,” said Vishal Kumar bitterly. “We need strict bans in residential lanes.”
The Policy Vacuum
While e-rickshaws fall under the Motor Vehicles Act, enforcement in Delhi has been inconsistent. Municipal authorities issue licenses, while the traffic police handle road enforcement. But coordination between agencies is often lacking.
The Delhi government has attempted to regularize the sector through registration drives and subsidies for electric vehicles. Yet, officials admit that enforcement remains a major challenge due to the sheer number of unregistered vehicles.
Transport policy expert Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said, “E-rickshaws serve an important purpose for last-mile connectivity, especially for low-income commuters. But the government must balance this with safety. Strict enforcement of driver training, licensing, and area restrictions is essential.”
Lives Lost, Lessons Unlearned
Every few months, a tragedy involving an e-rickshaw makes headlines. But little changes. In 2024, 20 people lost their lives in such incidents. In 2025, the number has already surpassed that figure — and the year isn’t over yet.
Despite thousands of challans and impoundments, the number of accidents continues to rise. Experts say that enforcement alone is not enough — a systemic approach involving driver education, vehicle design standards, dedicated lanes, and community awareness is needed.
“These are not isolated accidents. They are symptoms of a broken urban transport system,” said Rohit Bansal, an urban mobility researcher. “When we rely on informal, unregulated vehicles to meet public transport demand, safety takes a back seat.”
Children at the Greatest Risk
What makes these incidents particularly tragic is the age of the victims. Children — often playing outside or riding with parents — are the most vulnerable to unregulated traffic in residential areas.
In both Uttam Nagar and Sangam Vihar, the victims were playing in what should have been safe spaces — the lanes near their homes. Instead, these spaces have become death traps.
“Children should not have to die for simply playing outside,” said Rina Sharma, a local school teacher. “We need designated play areas and stricter traffic control in residential zones.”
The Road Ahead
As Delhi grapples with these recurring tragedies, experts say urgent steps are needed. Some suggest creating e-rickshaw exclusion zones in narrow residential lanes, while others recommend stricter licensing norms and mandatory driver training programs.
Technology could also play a role. GPS-based speed limiters, digital registration databases, and automatic challan systems could help monitor driver behaviour.
Public awareness campaigns can also make a difference, reminding both drivers and residents of basic safety norms. “Even small changes — like enforcing no-parking zones and ensuring rickshaws don’t enter extremely narrow streets — could save lives,” said a senior traffic official.
A City’s Silent Emergency
For now, Deepanshi’s family grieves in silence. Their small home is filled with neighbours offering condolences, while her toys lie untouched in a corner.
In Sangam Vihar, another family mourns a young boy whose life ended before it began.
Two deaths, two families shattered — both victims of a silent urban emergency that continues to unfold in Delhi’s overcrowded lanes. Unless swift and coordinated action is taken, experts warn, these stories will keep repeating — each one a reminder of how the promise of clean mobility has turned into a public safety crisis.
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