A non-government organisation Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF) and Municipal Committee Fazilka have been jointly honoured with a national award for designing the best non-motorised transportation project, Ecocab. Union urban development minister Kamal Nath handed over the award in New Delhi. Navdeep Asija and Dr Bhupinder Singh received the award on the behalf of GWAF and Anil Sethi, president, Municipal Council Fazilka jointly received a cheque of Rs 5 lakh and a plaque.
Ecocabs is a service offering dial-a-cycle-rickshaw on the lines of dial-a-cab. The project was initiated in 2008. The idea was to strengthen the existing unorganized network of cycle rickshaws. The vehicle is also promoted as modern and clean for short-distance within the city travel.
“The credit goes to people of Fazilka, who made the project possible. This recognition of our small city community effort will surely set a trend in mitigating the problems in urban transport and environment protection," said Navdeep Asija, founder Ecocabs and secretary (admin) GWAF.
The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) has also implemented Ecocabs in tourist cities like Amritsar and Patiala. In both the cities Ecocab pilots are also trained as tourism guide.
“Our city has set new trend in local governance-community participation. This award will firm up our commitment to launch more such projects.Fazilka Ecocabs is an ideal example of Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of with less for more, for many,” said Anil Sethi, president, Municipal Council Fazilka.
“Our drivers (traction men) are the real green warriors. I congratulate our team of youngsters like Navdeep, Nitin, Gautam, Ashok Felix on this success and we are also thankful to Mr Anil Sethi, President Municipal Council Fazilka, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Hi-bird Cycles Ludhiana , Sandeep Enterprises and our all donors who helped us to make it big and grand,” said Dr Bhupinder, patron, founding member, GWAF.
