Maharashtra: E-rickshaws show promise at trials in Matheran

The e-rickshaw had passengers on board during the trial

Trials of the much-discussed electric rickshaw were finally held on the hills and roads of Matheran. In the trials, a three-seater with passengers onboard, was able to climb the steep inclines and curves at a good speed. With the Maharashtra government's Urban Development Department flagging the move on June 3, the Matheran Municipal Council will now procure similar e-rickshaws to be run inside Matheran town.

"The trials were held to find any technical issues while the vehicle climbed the steep inclines and gradients of the road between Neral and Matheran. The e-auto ran at a good speed and prima facie there were no issues," said Sunil Shinde, a retired school teacher and a resident of Matheran, who had moved the court seeking that e-rickshaws be allowed to ply in Matheran. mid-day has been highlighting the plight of hard cart pullers and the proposal of e-rickshaws.

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The Supreme Court had last month permitted Maharashtra to introduce the eco-friendly e-rickshaws in the Matheran eco-sensitive zone on an experimental basis, to check their feasibility to replace the hand-pulled rickshaws plying in the area. As the hill station does not allow cars since the British era to ply within Matheran, people have to either walk or use one of the 460 horses or 94 hand-pulled rickshaws available for transportation. Shinde thanked mid-day for its support for the cause and said that the landmark decision of the court will give freedom to the suffering cart pullers.