Why in News?

• The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified inclusion of the ‘Quadricycle’ as a ‘non-transport’ vehicle under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 on November 23, 2018.
• Following a notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the Supreme Court approved the classification of Quadricycles under a new category.

Quadricycle:

• A Quadricycle is a vehicle of the size of a 3-wheeler but with 4 tires and fully covered like a car. It has an engine like that of a 3-wheeler. This makes it a cheap and safe mode of transport for last mile connectivity.

Highlights:

• The Quadricycles were allowed for transport usage under the Act in June but now has also been made usable for non-transport purposes.
• Following a notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the Supreme Court approved the classification of Quadricycles under a new category.
• The Quadricycles are different from regular four-wheelers. They weigh almost half of an entry-level car. The car has a smaller and more frugal engine. It is equipped with basic features.
• The Quadricycle was unveiled in 2012 but could not officially be launched due to some safety concerns cited by the Bajaj’s rivals and industry body in the Supreme Court.
• According to the order issued in June, the passenger vehicle should not weigh more than 475 KGs while the goods vehicle can weigh up to 550 kg.

Motor Vehicle Act, 1988:

• It was an act of Parliament of India which regulates all aspects of road transport vehicles.
• It was preceded by Motor Vehicle Act, 1939 and Motor Vehicles Act, 1914.
• This act provides in detail the legislative provisions regarding licensing of drivers/conductors, registration of motor vehicles, control of motor vehicles through permits, special provisions relating to state transport undertakings, traffic regulation, insurance, liability, offences and penalties, etc.
• For exercising the legislative provisions of the Act, the Government of India made the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989.
• There is provision to provide 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakhas interim relief to the family of victim of fatal accidents. The cases of road accident compensation claims are decided in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.