Tamil Nadu Introduces Electric Auto-Rickshaws, Most Of Which To Be Driven By Women

Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami flagged off 13 types of electric auto-rickshaws. These auto-rickshaws will have CCTV cameras, panic button and GPS facility. While the aim is to provide employment to 5000 people, it is reported that most of the chauffers for these electric auto-rickshaws will be women.

The flagging of these 13 variants of electronic auto-rickshaws called M-autos, manufactured by M-auto Electric Mobility was preceded by the State government signing a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) in 2019, on converting auto-rickshaws that run on petrol into those run on electricity. Following the MoU, the M-autos were launched on 21 Spetember.

Trhree variants of M-Auto, manufactured by M-Auto Electric Mobility, launched. These autorickshaws have CCTV cameras, GPS facility, panic button, tab etc. Moreover, most of these auto rickshaws have women chauffeurs.https://t.co/0aK7IX91lq#Tamilnadu

— TNIE Tamil Nadu (@xpresstn) September 22, 2020

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M- Auto is a retro-fit electric auto-rickshaw with a maximum speed of 70 km per hour. It comes as a replacement for the high amount of pollution caused by autos run on petrol and diesel. On being charged for one hour, it runs for 100 km. These auto-rickshaws can accommodate three people and a driver.

India has seen a rise in the number of female drivers in past years. According to the Road Transport Yearbook for 2015-16 (the latest such report brought out by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways), 17.73 percent women drive professionally.

In a similar move to promote women empowerment and to curb down air pollution, Thiruvananthapuram Smart City gave 15 e-autos and 14 e-rickshaws to 30 women BPL beneficiaries. The vehicle has an  AIS Compliant GPS installed in all vehicles. SCTL reportedly would also be installing charging stations across the city.

Thiruvananthapuram Smart City has given 15 e-Autos and 15 eRickshaws to 30 women BPL beneficiaries. An AIS Compliant GPS has been installed in all vehicles. SCTL is also installing charging stations at various locations within the city which shall facilitate in top-up charging. pic.twitter.com/LaHyaTBE6G

— Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (@MoHUA_India) September 21, 2020

In February this year Pune welcomed its first 100 female auto drivers. Also, the city will reportedly dedicate an auto-stand at the Bhakti Shakti Chowk in Nigdi for them. Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat took this decision to launch auto rickshaw’s driven by women. The stand at Nigdi will be called Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Autorickshaw Stand. You can read more about it here.

Also Read: “Learnt Driving To Fulfil Husband’s Desire,” Says Uber’s Female Driver

Of recently, smart cities are promoting Public Bike Sharing (PBS) Systems, Public Transport Infrastructure (Buses, Bus Shelters), electric vehicles like e-rickshaws, e-Buses, charging stations, multi-level car parking infrastructure and transit hubs to curb pollution.

Image Credit: The New Indian Express

Sanskriti Tiwari is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.