New rides spell comfort

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It was in March, when the decision to phase out autos, increase CNG prices, hike bus and auto fares, took a toll on Delhiites’ budget. Three months later, it looks like the Delhi government has finally zeroed in on an alternative, by introducing new initiatives like low fare radio taxis, auto-rickshaws on call and e-rickshaws to give them a reason to rejoice. We asked young commuters and received a mixed response about the new plans.

low cost Radio cabs

Easing the pain of commuters who will have to dig deeper to travel in a taxi as fares were hiked to 40 per cent recently, the Delhi government is planning to launch low-cost radio cabs at Rs 10 a km. The city roads are expected to have a fleet of over 3,000-4,000 such cabs that will be rolled out in three months before the Games. Smriti Singh, a law student, welcomes the step. She says, “It will definitely ease commuters’ woes, especially at odd hours when one can’t avail of public transport.”
Although, the government has relaxed rules to allow small cars such as Maruti Alto and Tata Nano to ply as taxis, these cabs will be non-air-conditioned. “Radio cabs at such low price sounds fine, but keeping in mind the city’s sweltering heat, non-AC cabs will be a flop,” says Dhruv Datta, a football player.
battery operated e-rocks

It’s a tall order, but the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) aims at replacing all cycle rickshaws in the city with battery-operated rickshaws. The civic agency wants to introduce 4,000 such rickshaws, called E-Rick, before the Commonwealth Games.
“The trial run of these aesthetically designed, eco-friendly rickshaws has been done and the service is expected to start by first week of August. We are only waiting for the affirmation by the Planning Committee of MCD,” says Amiya Chandra, officer on special duty, MCD.
The speed of the vehicle is 25km/hr and requires a charging time of eight hours. Parking space in shopping malls will be used for recharging the battery of these rickshaws.
“They will run as a feeder service to all metro stations, main markets and residential areas of Delhi. Also, it can easily carry the weight of maximum three people. For this, drivers will be trained to learn English and other foreign languages, says,” Ashish Jain, designer of e-rickshaws. Aditi Kapoor, an event manager feels, it would be a great transition. “Electric vehicles are soon going to be a way of life globally and not just in India. It will reduce the human effort of pulling a rickshaw and is a step ahead for a planned and advanced transport for city roads.”