2 weeks Ago By Nisha Nambiar
1 2 3 Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced on Monday that pink e-rickshaws will be granted feeder service status at Metro stations, airports and tourist destinations across Maharashtra. Speaking at the Agricultural College grounds in Shivajinagar on Monday, Pawar highlighted two benefits of the initiative. "The scheme will create livelihood opportunities and enhance women's confidence and safety.
The vehicles will soon serve as crucial feeder services at major transit points," he said. The first phase aims to distribute 10,000 pink e-rickshaws across eight cities — including Pune, Pimpri and Chinchwad, Nagpur, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur and Solapur. Under the scheme, women will receive a subsidy of Rs25,000 from central funds and Rs75,000 from the state — with the remaining cost of around 70% being covered through bank financing.
Women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare said at the function that Pune district has been allocated 4,000 e-rickshaws with 60 already being distributed to women from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Comprehensive training programmes have been implemented to ensure sustainability of the initiative. "We're planning over 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations across Pune," Tatkare said.
"Additionally, we will finalise agreements with private operators to integrate these vehicles with their platform, creating safer last-mile options for women travellers." Deputy speaker Dr Neelam Gorhe encouraged women to take the opportunity and suggested that schools consider the vehicles for student transportation. She emphasised the importance of including first-aid training for all drivers.
Agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, state women's commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar and representatives from Kinetic Green, the vehicle manufacturer, were present at the event..
