Sri Lanka bars entry of Bajaj Auto RE60
View(s):Bajaj Auto RE60, India’s first quadricycle, an alternative to the 3-wheeler, will not be permitted to ply on Sri Lankan roads, the Motor Traffic Department (MTD) head said.
The MTD has rejected the application submitted by the local agent of India’s Bajaj Auto company to market this low priced vehicle in the island, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic S.H. Harischandra told the Business Times.
He said the department refused the entry of these Indian-made quadricycles into Sri Lanka, mainly due to passenger safety issues.
Bajaj Auto RE60 is worse than a 3-wheeler as it’s a very light vehicle and not suitable for main roads and expressways, he pointed out. It cannot be registered as a 4-wheel car under Sri Lanka Motor Traffic regulations, he said adding that stability and strength of the vehicle were questionable.
The RE60 is neither a car nor an auto rickshaw and there was no guarantee on its safety standards.
Sri Lanka is facing dire consequences as a result of permitting the entry of three wheelers in to the country and it cannot allow Bajaj Auto RE60 to ply on roads as an alternative to small cars, he pointed out.
The RE60 weighs 400 kg (880 pounds), about 100 kg more than Bajaj’s smallest auto rickshaw and half as much as a small hatchback.
The engine, which can run on gasoline or compressed natural gas, goes up to 70 km per hour (about 40 miles per hour)
Bajaj Auto India has said that its quadricycles will become popular due to its affordable price in countries where 3-wheelers are widespread, and has sent samples for test runs in Sri Lanka, Colombia and Kenya.