Bengal Govt mandates Toto registration, to bring fix routes soon

The West Bengal government has mandated the compulsory registration and issuance of number plates for all 'Totos' or e-rickshaws operating across the state. Transport Minister Snehasish Chakraborty announced the decision, setting a firm deadline of November 30 for registration. Any e-rickshaw found on the roads without the necessary enrollment by this date will be barred from circulation.

The move comes in response to persistent complaints from citizens, auto-rickshaw drivers, and bus operators regarding the severe traffic congestion and indiscipline caused by the ubiquitous, yet unregulated, Toto e-rickshaws. Once all existing Totos are registered, the Transport Department plans to delineate specific routes for their operation.

The regularization process will begin with an identification drive set to take place between October 13 and November 13. During this period, all Totos will be assigned a temporary enrollment number and affixed with a sticker that features a QR code. This QR code system is intended to streamline enforcement and allow authorities to instantly verify the vehicle's registration status and ownership details.

To successfully implement this sweeping change, the Police, the Transport Department, and the Toto unions will be working collaboratively. The registration process itself will require owners to pay a one-time fee of ₹1,000. Furthermore, the government is planning a subsequent monthly fee of ₹100 (totaling ₹1,200 annually) and intends to bring all registered vehicles under an insurance cover—a measure that offers long-awaited protection to both drivers and passengers.

Furthermore, the state is looking to manage the overall fleet size. Authorities have decided that no local vendor or manufacturing company will be allowed to produce or sell new Totos without the state's knowledge in the future.