Residents of Dhanbad are likely to get some relief from the ever-increasing air pollution with the battery-operated e-rickshaws all set to make their debut soon.
Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) has decided to supply electric three-wheelers to rickshaw-pullers under the state government's much-touted Rickshawala Garima Yojana, a scheme aimed at ushering in pollution-free commute in cities.
On Tuesday, the civic body floated an application in newspapers, inviting eligible candidates with minimum age of 21 years, a valid driving licence and three years' experience of riding rickshaws in areas under DMC's jurisdiction.
The applicants must submit all the relevant documents, including experience certificates issued by a registered rickshaw-pullers' association or the local councillor, age and residence proofs, photographs and driving licence, by November 10.
"We will distribute 40 e-rickshaws in Dhanbad in the first phase. The process of issuing a tender for procuring the fleet has been initiated simultaneously. An e-rickshaw will roughly cost around Rs 1 lakh. While 25 per cent of the total cost will have to be paid by the beneficiary, the remaining 75 per cent will be funded by the state urban development and housing department through DMC," mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal said.
He added that they would try to distribute the rickshaws within a month of receipt of all applications after selecting the 40 beneficiaries.
The selection committee for choosing the beneficiaries would be headed by the municipal commissioner and comprise district transport officer or motor vehicles inspector, executive engineer of DMC, a member nominated by the district administration and another nominated by the rickshaw-pullers' association, among others, the mayor said.
On the aim of launching the e-rickshaw project, Agarwal said: "Besides helping to improve the quality of life of rickshaw-pullers through increased income, the e-fleet will cause less damages to the environment and conserve energy besides ensuring improved and fast transport system."
Sources in DMC said that the civic body was planning to distribute a total of around 150 e-rickshaws in phases.
"The beneficiaries can either cough up the 25 per cent of e-rickshaw's price through their own pockets or bank finance. Training for maintenance and operation of the fleet will be provided by the selected supplier of the rickshaws," a DMC official said.
According to provisions of Rickshawala Garima Yojana, the supplier will have to insure the vehicle for the first year. Later, the cost will be borne by the beneficiary. It will also have to provide two sets of uniforms, including a shirt, trousers, cap and sports shoes, to rickshaw-pullers at the time of delivery.
President of Jharkhand Rickshaw Mazdoor Sangh Prem Bachchan Das welcomed the initiative, saying that proper training ought to be imparted for operating the battery-operated fleet, as they would be plying in the city for the first time.
