The free of cost e-rickshaw service at Punjab Agricultural University, which was introduced in 2018, is allegedly costing the drivers dear. Meant to facilitate transportation of students, faculty, and guests and reduce air and noise pollution, the six e-rickshaws require regular maintenance, which the drivers claim to be paying for from their own pockets at times.
One of the drivers said that for maintenance of the e-rickshaws, their batteries need to be replaced yearly. He added that the batteries of these rickshaws require distilled water, which at times the drivers purchase on their own.
“We also pay for minor repair works,” he said.
The drivers suggested that donation box should be installed on e-rickshaws so that the passengers can donate whatever sum they wish to and the same can later be used to pay for the vehicles’ wear and tear.
Only 2 charging points
Another driver said there are only two charging points available whereas more are required. The drivers are a harried lot as their personal contact details are mentioned on the vehicles and the students allegedly bother them by calling them at odd hours.
Estate officer’s take
University estate officer Rishi Indra Gill said, “The maintenance is done at the workshop of the company through the estate office. Recently, we got new batteries and new tyres installed in the e-rickshaws.”
The drivers may have had to pay for distilled water, which costs around INR 10-15, once in a blue moon. However, if it would have made known to us, we would have arranged it for them as it is produced in the university,” he added.
He further said, “The contact details of the drivers are listed to make their work effective. The on-call service is meant to facilitate students and visitors.”
Talking about the charging points issue, Rishi claimed that if it is demanded, the number of charging points and e-rickshaws will be increased on campus. “The V-C had already planned to do so to reduce the number of cars in the university,” he added.
The e-rickshaws were donated by alumni Onkar Pahwa, a city-based manufacturer under his company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Each e-rickshaw can accommodate four people. All six eco-friendly rickshaws used to ply from 9 am to 5 pm earlier but now, three of them are functional from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. After picking up passengers from gate 1 or 2, the e-rickshaws cover the varsity’s Flag Post Chowk, Thapar Hall Chowk, Home Science College, School of Biotechnology Gate, New Examination Hall Chowk, Workshop Chowk, Hatchery Chowk, the market near International Students’ Hostel, and Nursery Chowk. However, none of them ply on campus after 5pm.
