6 September 2021 03:22 pm Views - 5139
Permission has been granted today by the government to allow certain appliances could be fitted to trishaws such as decorations etc., Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.
He told the media today that the decision was taken following discussions with three wheeler associations, department heads and the Prime Minister.
The permission was granted considering trishaws as a very convenient mode of transportation during this pandemic situation.
"It was hard to give permission for the modifications, but the Prime Minister ordered to provide certain relief for them," he said.
The relevant gazette notification No. 2240/37 dated August 14, 2021 allows certain, but restricted accessories.
The permission was granted during the period where higher vehicular accidents are being reported. Therefore, no permission was granted to fit accessories that are liable to cause accidents and thereby leaving the safety of the passenger at stake.
According to the gazette notification, the following criteria must be adhered to: Exceed the weight, dimensions or limitations of its prototype; alter its shape, design or modify the external appearance; losing the purpose for which it was manufactured; losing its equilibrium; spreading out the seat space of the driver's and/or passenger's seat; block the view of the windscreen or of the side openings of the driver's and the passengers' cabin; block the view of the rear view mirrors; giving the vehicle a reflective exterior; and installing sharp-edged appliances on the exterior which may cause obstruction or danger to people using the road or its vicinity.
"Both passenger transport and personnel use three wheelers have been granted permission for modifications. The modifications cannot be be mentioned in the gazette. People can do modifications other than the restricted items in the gazette up to a certain extent, "the State Minister said.
Therefore, the Minister requests all trishaw operators not to misuse the allowed perimeters.
Moreover, he said the officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) and the Transport Ministry are in discussion about giving permission for modifications and necessary upgrading for other vehicles too. The relevant gazette notification on this subject will be issued soon, the State Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)