Thaindian News

Chandigarh, Aug 11 (IANS) Chandigarh is all set to be pink and pollution-free with newly launched radio auto rickshaws.
The administration launched the distinctive three-wheeler auto rickshaws, enabled with Global Positioning System (GPS), Monday. These would be just a call away from the customer’s doorstep.

“This new service christened ‘Tuk-Tuk’ will be available round the clock and they can be easily called by the customers at their place by dialing an ‘easy call’ number. Travelers can also board these autos from the stands especially earmarked for them,” Home Secretary Ram Niwas said here Monday.

The charges are fixed at Rs.10 for the first kilometre and Rs.8 for subsequent kilometres.

“There is a possibility that women drivers will be appointed on certain routes of colleges and offices where there is more rush of female commuters. There would be proper dress code and a specific batch number will be allotted to the drivers,” an offficial in the administration told IANS.

Besides, in a bid to make Chandigarh pollution-free, Chandigarh administrator S.F. Rodrigues distributed cheques to those auto-rickshaw operators who wish to install an LPG-kit in their vehicle or buy a new LPG-run auto-rickshaw.

Chandigarh administration has signed a memorandum of understanding with Delhi Financial Corporation for extending easy loan facilities to these operators.

“In Chandigarh, there will be no diesel or petrol-run auto-rickshaw after Aug 31 as per our agreement with auto-rickshaw drivers’ union. We are ready to offer any kind of financial help to them in this venture,” stated Niwas.

Delhi Financial Corporation Chairman and Managing Director X.K. Mahto said: “We had made a successful experiment of financing 5,000 LPG auto-rickshaws in Delhi and the recovery rate is around 98 percent. We will extend financial assistance to 500 LPG auto-operators in Chandigarh on easy terms.”