News: Haryana CM launches Gurgaon’s first e-rick zone to phase out diesel autos-17-08-2021
Gurgaon: Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday launched the city’s first electric rickshaw zone, which will cover Cyber City, Golf Course Road, Iffco Chowk, Huda City Centre and other prominent places. He also flagged off 600 e-rickshaws as part of the project from the Galleria market.
The project, named Parivartan, will replace 12,000 diesel and petrol autos in a phased manner. Officials said diesel and CNG autos would not be allowed in the e-rick zone, but private cars and buses could run as usual.
“We have started an electric three-wheeler zone in one part of the city to begin with. We will gradually replace 12,000 diesel and petrol autos in Gurgaon. Auto owners will be provided with loans from banks and MCG will help them procure e-rickshaws. The corporation will also give a subsidy of Rs 30,000 to those who will replace their autos with e-rickshaws,” Khattar said while flagging off the battery-operated three-wheelers.
A shuttle service will be available to and from various points in the electric vehicle zone. Charging stations will also be set up for the e-rickshaws at regular intervals.
“The fare for an individual ride has been fixed at Rs 5 per km. However, we are yet to decide on the rate for shared trips. The issue will soon be taken up at a meeting among officials of the MCG, RTA (Regional Transport Authority) and the concessionaire,” an MCG official said.
Officials said the concessionaire would have to construct waiting areas at the e-rickshaw stands and set up charging stations too.
The Haryana Auto Association, however, raised objections to the decision to replace diesel autos with e-rickshaws, claiming it would only favour a few private companies. “We are not sure about the quality of e-rickshaws procured through these companies. The government is snatching the source of livelihood of diesel and CNG auto owners,” said Yogesh Sharma, the state general secretary of the Haryana Auto Chalak Sangh.
