Srinagar (NVI): With vehicular pollution on the rise due to growing traffic, authorities in Srinagar intend to introduce battery-operated e-rickshaws here as a clean mode of transport.
A 15-day trial project has been started from January 4. A technical team would monitor it on daily basis to evaluate the capacity of such vehicles and other necessary aspects.
Initially the service would be provided on three routes and once the trial period is over, the performance would be reviewed through a multi-stage process wherein Automotive Research India Limited must approve it.
An introduction certificate would be issued by State Transport Agency.
The e-rickshaws are lithium battery operated vehicles that have all-weather feasibility. A single battery can last up to 90 hours while a double battery can run for 120 hours and has a life of six years.
Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has asked the authorities to incorporate this project under Smart City programme which is underway in the capital of the newly-formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the aim of introducing e-rickshaws in Srinagar is primarily to control increasing levels of pollution resulting from growing traffic in the city.
Choudhary urged the manufacturer of these e-rickshaws to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of setting up its manufacturing unit in Kashmir and submit the same.
He said setting up of the unit would generate employment for the youth of valley.
