Delhi Metro flags off 500 e-rickshaws in Gurugram
NEW DELHI: Seeking to provide last-mile connectivity in neighbouring Gurugram, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday launched a fleet of 500 e-rickshaws, a dedicated pollution free service, for commuters at five metro stations of the Millennium City.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari formally flagged off the fleet from the HUDA City Centre Metro Station on Monday. The vehicles will operate at all five Metro stations in Gurugram, namely Guru Dronacharya, Sikanderpur, MG Road, IFFCO Chowk and HUDA City Centre.
Moreover, another fleet of 500 e-rickshaws will be released by the end of this year, which will cover all the 14 Metro stations falling in Gurugram and Faridabad.
Gadkari said: "These e-rickshaws will definitely help keep the environment clean and no expensive fuel is required to run this service. The commuters will enjoy travelling in these e-rickshaws."
The number of e-rickshaws, on a particular route, will be decided beforehand so that vehicles do not clutter at one place. The drivers will be given a defined route of around five kilometres.
The e-rickshaws take up to nine hours to be fully charged and can travel over 100 kilometres.
The specially designed e-rickshaws, with covered cabin and full front windscreen, will provide last mile connectivity within an area of three-four kilometres around Metro stations.
The vehicles will pick up and drop commuters over short distances and can accommodate a maximum of four passengers. Drivers of these rickshaws will wear uniforms and the vehicles are enabled with CCTV and GPS availability.
Fare for each ride will be nominal, at a base price of Rs 10 for the first 2 km and Rs 5 for every subsequent kilometre.
Meanwhile, under the vision of "Common Mobility Card" DMRC and Smart – E are closely working to enable Metro Smart Cards for Smarte ride payments.