NEW DELHI: More than a year after the Delhi government started the e-rickshaw registration process, thousands are still plying illegally in the city. More worryingly , there seems to be complete disregard for rules as these three-wheelers can be seen running on every street, including those which are closed for their operation such as parts of Ring Road and Vikas Marg. Besides, authorities are a turning a blind eye to these violations.According to Delhi government records, around 4,500 e-rickshaws have been registered to date. These are the vehicles, which follow the safety norms as set by the government and whose drivers have a valid licence as well as a public service vehicle (PSV) badge. In fact, a licence and the PSV badge are permit conditions for e-rickshaw owners.To ensure that most of the battery-operated three-wheelers get registered, the Delhi government had also promised a Rs 15,000 subsidy and allowed the registration of vehicles already bought, provided they fulfilled the criteria set by the ministry of road transport and highways.However, the reality on the ground is markedly different. Officials admit that a majority of e-rickshaws plying in the city are not registered with the transport department. “An unofficial estimate puts the number of e-rickshaws in the city at 1 lakh. Obviously , most are not registered,“ said a government official. The reason, said the source, is the fact that most are not adhering to the norms as specified by the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.“The Delhi government had allowed older e-rickshaws to be registered, provided they are retrofitted as per the CMVR norms. However, since this is a long and relatively expensive process, most drivers have opted to ply the vehicle as it is,“ added the official.In the process, safety of passengers is compromised. Since the vehicles are not registered, drivers are also not required to have a licence, or have a PSV badge.Lack of enforcement has only added to the rampant proliferation of the unregistered e-rickshaws. A 2014 Delhi government notification clearly demarcated areas in which e rickshaws could ply . Ring Road, parts of Vikas Marg, Outer Ring Road, streets in central Delhi as well as Rao Tula Ram Marg were part of the restricted zone.Said a senior government official, “Though there is a restriction, no enforcement is happening on the ground. There is little political will to prosecute offenders.“The incidents of crackdown are few and far between and seldom are the vehicles impounded for violating the permit conditions.HC seeks answers from policeThe high court on Monday sought the response of Delhi Police on a plea seeking a direction to immediately stop plying of unlicensed e-rickshaws in the wake of recent deaths allegedly caused by these vehicles.Justice J R Midha issued notice on the application which said the police should be directed to take effective steps to stop illegal operation of e-rickshaws in the city, especially in the trans-Yamuna area. It further said that any e-rickshaw, plying on the road illegally, should be taken into custody. The court fixed the matter for hearing on September 16.