State government has roped in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT),Delhi to set technical parameters for the motor or battery-powered rickshaws that it has announced to distribute free of cost to rickshaw-pullers in the state. The government has asked the institute to submit its recommendations in a week. The state approached the institute after shortlisting six firms for the supply of motor or battery-powered rickshaws,in a recent meeting presided over by Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation Minister Azam Khan. The shortlisted companies include Saera Electric Auto Private Limited,Xs Bikes and Pelatino Automotives Private Limited,Delhi,HBL Power System,Gurgaon,Purti Green Technology,Nagpur and Samman Foundation,Patna. The IIT will recommend technical parameters like power of motors and capacity of batteries for rickshaws. Technical and financial bids will be later invited from these six firms for selection of supplier, said J P Singh,Director of State Urban Development Agency (SUDA),nodal agency for implementation of the scheme. A high-level technical committee comprising senior faculty members from IIT-Delhi and Kanpur,IIM Lucknow and government officials has been formed to recommend the technical specifications of these rickshaws. In the meeting,it was suggested to rope in IIT-Delhi as its mechanical engineering department has expertise in this field, said an official. Last year,the state had received proposals from 23 firms to supply rickshaws costing between Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh per unit. The government collected sample rickshaws and distributed them in different districts for a trial run. After the trial run,rickshaws of six firms were found to offer maximum comfort for both passengers and rickshaw-pullers. They also required minimum maintenance and had longer battery backup. Rickshaw-pullers said they are earning between Rs 300- 400 daily with these rickshaws, said an official. He added in tourist destinations like Varanasi,foreigners found these rickshaws more comfortable and it also causes less pollution. Positive reports were also collected from District Magistrates.
