In order to ensure last-mile-connectivity in the city, the Greater Noida Authority has decided to run battery-fitted e-rickshaw from January onwards. Initially, the authority has planned to run only 100 e-rickshaws with the help of an NGO and the number will be augmented to 200 by the end of the year. The proposed plan will cover all routes of the city, especially Knowledge Park area where there are no means of public transport for students. The move is on the lines of Delhi, where the Government introduced battery-operated rickshaws.
According to authority officials, the main purpose of introducing these battery-operated rickshaws is to provide connectivity to commuters from bus stops to their homes.
The new lot of rickshaws are more advanced and are laced with improved brake technologies and minimum maintenance cost.
The Authority is also planning to fit GPS and camera in these rickshaws. The charges will be fixed as per the distance — the minimum rate will be Rs 10, whereas the maximum will be Rs 20. The authority will provide loans and other assistance and will also organise training sessions for drivers so they could behave professionally with the passengers. The authority will also fix routes of these vehicles.
“As the area is expanding rapidly, the need of the hour is to ensure connectivity in every nook and corner of the city. The proposed rickshaws will help in connecting various sectors to bus stands. The Knowledge Park area, where nearly four lakh students reside, will be the priority. Apart from this, the move will also help in replacing autorickshaws from the city,” said a senior official.