Delhi makes way for solar-powered rickshaws

New Delhi: The nuclear deal is almost sealed and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is now shifting focus on other issues - one of them being global warming. Recently he stressed on using solar energy for a cleaner fuel and now Delhi's streets are making way for solar energy-run rickshaws.

It is now the turn of the cycle rickshaw to go green. Known as the Soleckshaw, this cycle rickshaw was introduced by the Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal and Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit on Friday in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.

The rickshaw-pullers might be the next green warriors if the solar rickshaw project is successful. Driven by solar energy, it will not only put a zero emission vehicle on the road but will also ease off the burden on a rickshaw puller.

Soleckshaw has come as a boon for the rickshaw-pullers of Chandni Chowk where hundreds of rickshaws ply everyday, the only mode of transport on the arterial roads.

Kapil Sibal says, "Without pedalling, the Soleckshaw it can go on a good speed. Its cost will come down once it is commercialised and it will help earn a living for the rickshaw-puller. And we need to invent such environment technologies which helps people."

A rickshaw-puller gives testament to this fact saying, "Usmein jaan lagta tha khaaskar chadhai per, ismein nahin." ("That used to take energy especially on an incline, this new rickshaw does not.")

All the rickshaw-puller has to do is charge the solar battery for five hours at a charging point made at the metro station. Once the solar energy powers the battery, the rickshaw can easily go at about 15 kms per hour leaving no carbon footprint behind. But the current prototype of rickshaw is 120 kgs heavy and many can feel its weight already.

Another rickshaw-puller says, "Vartman rickshaw ka wazan hai 70 kilo. Agar yeh sau kilo tak me bhi ho jaye, tab chadhaai wali jagah per kamyab ho sakenge." (The present rickshaws that we pull are about 70 kgs. If the soleckshaw can be brought down to about 100 kgs, then we will be able to manage them easily.")

If the project succeeds, solar rickshaws will not only be convenient but also reduce carbon footprint.