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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: E-rickshaw drivers across Delhi’s corridors say they are living in fear after a smartphone app allegedly began switching off their vehicles mid-road without warning, leaving them stranded in fast-moving traffic and putting passengers at risk of accidents. The scare began after videos went viral showing people using a Chinese Bluetooth-enabled battery management app to remotely disable lithium-ion batteries powering e-rickshaws \u2014 some clips showed users walking up to moving or parked vehicles and switching them off from their phones. The Delhi government has ordered a probe into the claims. Drivers on busy routes told news agency PTI an unexpected halt on arterial roads could prove fatal, since vehicles often tailgate e-rickshaws with little room to react. Shree Ram, who drives between Punjabi Bagh West and Peeragarhi Metro stations, said he constantly fears “someone may ram into us from behind” after hearing of e-rickshaws stalling mid-traffic. Ankush Kumar, who plies between West Enclave and Pitampura, said he initially spent Rs 500 suspecting a battery fault, only to later learn the shutdowns were being triggered by the app. He said passengers often refuse to pay and switch rides when the vehicle stalls, adding to drivers’ financial losses and stress. Mohammad Siraj, who drives on the Kohat Enclave-Netaji Subhash Place route, alleged some people were deliberately locking batteries via the app, forcing drivers to download the same app just to unlock their own vehicles in an emergency. He called for police action against those misusing the app. According to reports, some lithium-ion battery packs come with Bluetooth-enabled Battery Management Systems (BMS) that let users track battery health via an app \u2014 but weak authentication reportedly allows anyone within Bluetooth range to connect and disable the battery’s discharge function, cutting power instantly. Older lead-acid battery e-rickshaws are not affected. In response, the Centre has ordered the removal of three Chinese apps \u2014 BAT-BMS, Lossigy and Epoch-i-ion \u2014 found to be misused for remotely disabling battery vehicles, government sources said. Any other app found being misused this way will also be blocked, they added. IT Secretary S Krishnan said app stores must exercise due diligence and that the government would take up the issue with them directly.<\/div>\n