Paradip, Aug. 4: The introduction of environment-friendly battery-operated rickshaws for ferrying tourists to Bhitarkanika National Park has triggered a controversy with the state forest department facing charges of unauthorised operation of these three-wheelers.

The pollution-free transport system was launched in the national park on August 1 after the wetland site, which remained out of bounds for tourists for three months, reopened.

The e-rickshaws provide hassle-free conveyance for domestic and international tourists. However, the forest department has not obtained the technical and legal sanctions while introducing the three-wheelers. The vehicles, which are being used commercially, have no registration numbers or fitness certificates.

There is also no insurance for the vehicles and those who are driving the e-rickshaws do not even have a licence.

As a result, "unauthorised plying" of these vehicles has allegedly infringed upon the Orissa Motor Vehicles Act. "We have directed the forest department to adhere to the mandatory legal provisions while plying the vehicles," said regional road transport officer Lacchman Sahu.

Forest officials admitted that it was an "inadvertent slip" on their part.

"We are taking steps to register the vehicles besides obtaining other requisites as stipulated by the road transport authorities," said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest officer, Bimal Prasanna Acharya.