Relief for Delhi Metro commuters: DMRC launches e-rickshaw service in Ghaziabad

The first fleet of five e-rickshaws were launched on Monday and will operate from Vaishali metro station in Ghaziabad. The first lot was flagged off by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) managing director Dr Mangu Singh on the occasion of World Environment Day

In order to provide last-mile connectivity to metro commuters, an e-rickshaw service was flagged off from the DMRC headquarters in Delhi.

The specially designed e-rickshaws, with a covered cabin and a full-front windscreen, will provide the last-mile connectivity within a radius of 3km to 4km around Metro stations. (HT Photo)

The first fleet of five e-rickshaws were launched on Monday and will operate from Vaishali metro station in Ghaziabad. The first lot was flagged off by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) managing director Dr Mangu Singh on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The move is aimed at mitigating the mushrooming of unorganised transport mediums like e-rickshaws and Gramin Sewa services in Delhi-NCR, which not only block the entry-exit points of Metro stations, but also creates pollution.

The DMRC spokesperson said the specially designed e-rickshaws, with a covered cabin and a full-front windscreen, will provide the last-mile connectivity within a radius of 3km to 4km around Metro stations.

“These vehicles are also fitted with CCTV cameras and GPS to ensure added safety for passengers, especially women commuters. The e-rickshaws with also be operational in Gurgaon and Faridabad stations shortly. Upon the successful implementation of the e-rickshaw service in the NCR region, the service will be replicated in Delhi subject to feasibility,” the DMRC spokesperson said.

“The issue of fare, availability of charging points, etc., are being finalised with the e-rickshaw operators. The e-rickshaw service will operate as per metro train timings — from 6am to 11pm,” the spokesperson said.

For further help, commuters in Noida and Ghaziabad can also avail of relevant information on helpline number 011-39595468.

“The DMRC tries to incorporate eco-friendly initiatives in all its spheres of functioning. So, ensuring a dedicated e-rickshaw service at metro stations will enable commuters to use non-polluting public transport modes over personal vehicles,” Dr Singh said.

The DMRC spokesperson added that one of the operators of the e-rickshaw service aims to introduce 610 such vehicles at eight operational metro stations in Noida and Ghaziabad within a year.

To strengthening commuting, the DMRC presently operates 291 feeder buses on 42 routes connecting 54 metro stations in Delhi. The agency has also encouraged the use of bicycles by commuters at its metro station as an eco-friendly mode of transport. All parking slots of DMRC have space allotted for parking bicycles.

The Delhi Metro has been operating a cycle rental service at many of its stations in an effort to provide last-mile connectivity.