Bhubaneswar, Dec. 20: Centurion University will shortly roll out battery-operated rickshaws on a commercial basis, as well as electronic two-wheelers, open ambulances and golf carts.

The International Centre for Automotive Technology has certified the varsity for the purpose, making it the first e-automobile manufacturer in east and northeast India.

Two students of the university, Somnath Patnaik and Jakesh Sahoo, will be handling the venture, the authorities said, adding that the project had been hailed as one of the most innovative enterprises of its kind at different levels.

The vehicles will be rolled out in six months for commercial supply.

"We started the project in our second year of BTech and carried out different experiments. Last year, we applied for the patent and have finally secured the commercial licence for both state and national levels," said Patnaik.

"Besides, we are also working on a battery-operated bike and a heavy vehicle that can be used for transportation," said Jakesh Sahoo.

The students of the university - from ITI to BTech students - will be given the opportunity to get involved with the project. While the ITI students will be involved in the manufacturing domain, BTech students will be engaged in research. Students can apply the concepts learned, develop competency required in the marketplace by use of real time and industry-used software, tools, databases and labs, practical projects and product development as an important focus.

The project will give a further thrust to integrate learning with actual domains and industry while setting an example of teaching through practice mode using labs and projects.

"All those who have been a part of this endeavour have demonstrated perseverance and depth and it is an occasion for us to support and celebrate entrepreneurship amongst our students who carried it forward from ideation to complete production and enterprise," said president of the university Mukti Kanta Mishra congratulating his team for the success of the project.

"This project has opened a new paths and fresh opportunities in the fields of design, engineering works, maintenance and development for students cutting across the disciplines of engineering and management. The example set by these students will empower others to explore new horizons in multi-disciplinary studies such as manufacturing, production and mechatronics. This also has provided immense research potential and possibilities for students coming to this university from abroad," he said.