CHANDIGARH: A city NGO on Monday launched 25 newly developed Ecocabs service a dial-a-rickshaw a with the aim of providing an economical and environment-friendly mode of transport to the city. Helping in the endeavour, the Chandigarh transport department has provided the cycle rickshaw parking stand at ISBT and has also made it operational for 24X7 hour, jointly by Ecocabs and New Kranti Rickshaw Worker Union (NKRWU).
Navdeep Asija, founder of the Ecocabs project, said, "The traditional rickshaws are in a bad condition and they do not have reflective surface behind it, which is why most of the accidents occur. So, this eco-friendly cab, with 9sq ft of reflective surface at the back and sides, enhances visibility. It has a children's seat with a seat belt and has luggage space too."
He added, "Cycle rickshaw tariff for the day hours and night hours for the neighborhood area shall be fixed soon for the convenience of passengers along with dial-a-rickshaw facility."
The introduction of the dial-a-rickshaw service is expectedly to improve and increase accessibility for the residents of the city. Rupinder Singh, who was part of the event and had been working on issues related to road safety, said, "Chandigarh has become more pedestrian-unfriendly. People use their cars even to cover short distances. The roads have become unfriendly to non-motorized transport. He added, "These eco-friendly cabs will be most beneficial for the residents who have become habitual of using private vehicles even to travel a short distance. It is a door step facility and has been designed keeping in mind the women and children commuters."
Mangal Singh, general secretary of NKRWU, said, "We heartily support these eco-friendly cabs as they are safe for the rickshaw-pullers as well as for the riders."
