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Will Matheran get e-rickshaws this year?

Matheran City council had passed a resolution to introduce e-rickshaw in 2012

Will Matheran get e-rickshaws this year?
SHARES

The government of Maharashtra recently wrote to the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and requested to amend the notification, that was issued on February 4, 2003, by the ministry. The notice declared Matheran as an eco-sensitive zone and prohibited the entry of motorised vehicles.


What message does the letter convey?

As per reports from the Mantralaya, the proposal had come from the Raigad district collector’s office on request of Matheran residents. According to the proposal, Matheran city council, Matheran Eco-Sensitive Area committee and the transport department have already agreed for the introduction of e-rickshaws.

If the Union government agrees to amend the notification that was issued 15 years ago, tourists would be able to travel in a battery operated e-rickshaw instead of hand-pulled carts or horses at Matheran. The famous hill station has been a place of attraction for its raw beauty. People are drawn to the hill station due to easy accommodation from Mumbai.

In its letter, the state government had pointed out that citizens face various hardships and in cases of emergencies, the public had no other option but to travel on horses.


The plight of the Rickshaw pullers

The residents and rickshaw puller unions have been demanding the introduction of the environment-friendly rickshaws for several years. In December 2012, Matheran city council had passed the resolution to introduce e-rickshaws in the city.

Sunil Shinde, a resident, told Hindustan Times how the e-rickshaws would put an end to the misery of the rickshaw pullers and restore their dignity. Also, he added that students, senior citizens, women, and tourists would benefit the most from the amendment.

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