
Women e-rickshaw drivers to take tourists around the Pink City, to double up as guides
Tourists looking for sightseeing services in the Pink City can now book environment friendly e-rickshaws driven by women, who also double up as a guide.
A not-for-profit organisation has trained women from the weaker sections of the society to drive the battery-operated e-rickshaws that have been modified and painted pink. “A public limited company – Pink City Rickshaw Co – has been formed with equity participation from about 40 women e-rickshaw drivers and the number will be eventually increased to 200,” founder Radhika Kumari told HT.
The company has tied up with hotels and tour operators to offer customised tour packages.
“The project focuses on training women, ideally in the age group of 18-35, selected from weaker sections of society. It has opened a new channel of income for these women after their training in rickshaw driving and soft skills. They have smart uniforms and are groomed to interact with tourists,” Radhika said.
“We offer three tours – heritage, crafts and shopping. A tourist circuit has been designed keeping in mind the tourists who want to visit the historical sites in the city, but are hesitant to manoeuvre the congested streets on their own,” she said.
One of the drivers, Renu Sharma, said that apart from earning she was doing driving the rickshaws as she was enjoying the job. “My husband runs a paan kiosk, and was supportive of my decision. I did not face any opposition from other family members either. I have been trained to interact with tourists, including foreigners, using a few English words and it’s not difficult,” she told HT.
“At times, we also offer suggestions on places to visit to the tourists,” she said.
Another driver Pushpa Devi said that initially she faced some opposition from her family, but now they have no issue with her job.
The e-rickshaws have been modified by Jaipur-based NID graduate Ayush Kasliwal. The modified vehicle has a collapsible canopy and ergonomically designed seats, mechanical improvement for greater safety and also a locker for safekeeping of belongings of the clients, a mobile charger, water bottle holder, city maps and so on. The e-rickshaws also have an IVRS app installed with the pre-marked routes, which prove to be helpful for both tourists and add a secured system for operations for women drivers.
“It’s a first of its kind service in Jaipur and garnering a lot of support from different agencies, most of the niche hotels, as well as travel companies who want to offer unique experiences. It’s a novel way of getting introduced to the city and exploring the hidden by-lanes,” Radhika said.
Chief minister Vasundhara Raje will formally inaugurate the project in September.

Rajasthan makes RT-PCR tests mandatory for arrivals from Maharashtra, Kerala
- The decision was taken in a review meeting chaired by chief minister Ashok Gehlot at his residence.

BJP deems Rajasthan budget disappointing, Cong says its presented a holistic one

Rajasthan: Judge recuses himself in Robert Vadra case

Rajasthan to have own law to upgrade prisons, impart skills to inmates
- The state has prepared a new bill, the Rajasthan Prisons Bill, 2021, taking inspiration from the model jail manual.

Rajasthan to present first paperless budget tomorrow

Prohibitory orders imposed in Jodhpur city to contain coronavirus cases
- Several states including Maharashtra, Kerala, MP and Punjab continue to record high number of Covid cases.

Raje to attend BJP’s core committee meeting on Tuesday
- The core committee meeting will be chaired by state party chief Satish Poonia.

5 killed, 15 injured in road accident in Rajasthan's Churu district

Puducherry crisis: Gehlot says BJP destabilising govts to grab power unethically
- The Congress government in Puducherry collapsed on Monday after the motion of confidence moved by CM Narayanasamy was defeated.

Rajasthan: Four members of a family found dead in Sikar district

Robbery at petrol pump in Jaipur

Pakistan asked to expedite return of Barmer man who fled home fearing infamy
- The latest contact with Islamabad on the issue came after Barmer MP and Union agricultural minister Kailash Choudhary spoke to officials in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Hand over 57-kg gold, meant to weigh ex-PM Shastri, to CGST dept: Udaipur court
- The gold, whose market value stands at ₹27.29 crore, is lying in the treasury of the Udaipur collector.

Prices of premium petrol cross ₹100 in 19 districts of Rajasthan
- The highest rates of premium petrol amongst the above-mentioned district were recorded from Sri Ganganagar, where the price of a litre of petrol is at ₹103.59.
