Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched electric Victoria carriages at his official residence, Varsha on Sunday. Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, and Transport Minister Anil Parab were also present during the launch. CM Thackeray formally handed over the keys of the new carriages to riders of old carriages that used horses.
Mumbaikars will soon see a comeback of the iconic Victoria carriages across the city but with no horses. Recently, the State Transport Department approved a proposal to permit electric Victoria carriages to run near the Gateway of India, a region where traditional horse carriages ran for nearly 100 years. These electrified carriages will be operated by Ubo Ridez.
Read - Victoria Carriages To Run On Mumbai Streets Again, Only This Time Without Horses
A spokesperson for the company said, “The battery-operated carriages run a maximum speed of less than 20 km per hour. They look just like the original Victoria carriages but there are no horses. They are environmentally friendly and take you back to the city’s old heritage. Now that they have been launched, regular runs will begin soon.”
“We have given keys of the e-carriages to the riders of the old carriages who had lost their livelihood when the horse carriages were shut down. The exact rates are yet to be fixed,” the spokesperson added.
Also read - CM Uddhav Thackeray Hints of a Strict Lockdown In Maharashtra
Officials said that around 12 carriages with a seating capacity of 6 people will operate near the Gateway of India, Nariman Point, as well as Marine Drive, regions previously known for horse carriage rides.
These electric carriages weigh nearly 650 kilograms and use with lithium-ion batteries that can help cover around 60 to 70 Km of distance per charge. However, there is no specific information on the charging time (0 to 100 per cent) of these carriages.
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