E-rickshaws with GPS to provide last-mile link

New Delhi: In an effort to provide last-mile connectivity in the National Capital Region, the Delhi Metro on Monday launched a dedicated e-rickshaw service for the commuters, beginning at the Vaishali station in Ghaziabad.

“The specially designed e-rickshaws with covered cabin and full-size front windscreen will provide last-mile connectivity within an area of 3-4 km around metro stations. They are also equipped with CCTV camera and GPS,” a senior official said.

The eco-friendly service was formally launched by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) MD Mangu Singh at the Metro Bhawan on the occasion of World Environment Day.

“The first fleet of five e-rickshaws inaugurated today will operate from Vaishali Metro Station. The facility will be extended at stations in Gurgaon and Faridabad very shortly by another operator,” the senior official said.

One of the operators aims to introduce 610 e-rickshaws at earmarked eight operational metro stations in Noida and Ghaziabad within a year, the DMRC said.

“On successful implementation of the e-rickshaw services in the NCR, services on a similar format would be replicated in Delhi subject to its feasibility,” the official said.

Commuters in Noida and Ghaziabad can get relevant information regarding this facility on the helpline — 011-39595468. “The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation tries to incorporate eco-friendly initiatives in all its spheres of functioning. So, ensuring dedicated e- rickshaw service at the metro stations will enable the commuters to prefer non-polluting public transport modes over personal vehicles,” Mr Singh said.

As on date, DMRC operates 291 feeder buses on 42 routes connecting 54 metro stations in Delhi, DMRC said in a statement. Around two lakh people use the feeder bus service on a daily basis. DMRC also encourages the use of bicycles by commuters, to and from metro stations.

The Delhi Metro network spans two major cities each in Haryana — Gurgaon and Faridabad; Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.

The Vaishali station falls on the Blue Line (Dwarka Vaishali/Noida City Centre) of the network.