Govt mulls e-rickshaws in Matheran

The state revenue department has planned to write a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forest Climatic Change (MoEF) to ply battery-operated rickshaws in Matheran. These battery-operated rickshaws would help ferry tourists visiting the hill station at cheaper rates as compared to other modes of transport.

At present, tourists have to shell out at least Rs 500 for travelling on a hand-pulled rickshaw or horseback in order to reach the main town. The activists in Matheran said that the use of hand-pulled rickshaws has affected the health of rickshaw pullers.

“The rickshaw pullers face various dust-related allergies as the roads in Matheran are covered in mud. The introduction of battery-operated rickshaws would help both tourists as well as rickshaw pullers,” said Sunil Shinde, member of Shramik Rickshaw Sanghatana of Matheran.

In 2017, an eco-monitoring committee was appointed under the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, which has been monitoring the developments in the town of Matheran. The revenue department officials are set to take the opinion of the committee and send a proposal to the MoEF.

The MOEF declared Matheran as an eco-sensitive zone in 2003. Due to this, there was a ban on vehicles inside the town.

“These rickshaws will not pollute the environment as they will run on batteries. It will serve the purpose of both tourists and the present rickshaw pullers,” added Shinde. At least four persons can be seated in each battery-operated rickshaw. The estimated fare for ferrying a single tourist to the main town would be Rs50. “These rickshaws will be plying 24 hours to cater to the needs of tourists visiting the town late in the evening. Introducing these rickshaws will also boost the tourism industry of Matheran,” added an activist.

At least four persons can be seated in each batteryoperated rickshaw.The estimated fare for ferrying a single tourist to the main town would be Rs 50