JOIN USIn an effort to promote green activities on its sprawling 350-acre campus in the heart of Bengaluru, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) would introduce e-rickshaws.
The fleet of 10 e-rickshaws will be launched on Saturday under the banner ‘Pick-E-Rick’ ahead of the Open Day celebrations scheduled later this month.
IISc’s administrative officials believe e-rickshaws would bring down the use of motorised vehicles inside its campus. “The idea has been tested since last year and three rickshaws have been in use,” said a senior official of the institute. “Following the success of the idea, it would be offered full-time across the campus for easy commute.”
The rickshaws could be hired by faculty, students and others visiting the campus for Rs 5 per trip per person.
An official release from the institute stated that the rickshaws will operate on five different routes identified as purple, green, red, orange and blue by Prof Ashish Verma’s Transportation Engineering Lab at IISc.
The rickshaws will be available on all days, except Sundays, between 11.30 am and 7.30 pm. Operated by Transvahan Technologies India, it will accept only digital payments. “Each way along the chosen route will cost Rs 5. Commuters must pay digitally by apps like UPI or Paytm,” the official said.