Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jun 20: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has introduced 24 electric auto-rickshaws for door-to-door garbage collection in the city area. Supplied by Pragya Automobiles of Bengaluru, these vehicles were inaugurated by MP Capt Brijesh Chowta on Wednesday.
Capt Chowta emphasized, “These autos will contribute to realizing the vision of Swachh Mangaluru-Hasiru Mangaluru. They are built under the concept of Atma Nirbhar Bharat by PM Modi and are manufactured in India.”
MLA Vedavyas Kamath highlighted, “These vehicles are particularly essential amidst the current skyrocketing fuel prices. While other vehicles incur expenses of Rs 12 per km, these autos operate at just 50 paise per km. They can travel up to 90 km on a single charge.”
“These autos can navigate lanes as narrow as five feet, facilitating garbage collection from houses in by-lanes,” added Kamath.
Mayor Sudhir Shetty Kannur, presiding over the event, stated, “Each auto will serve three wards to collect both wet and dry waste. MCC plans to gradually implement the use of electric vehicles (EVs) across all operations. Electrically operated auto tippers will transport waste to recycling units.”
The event was attended by MLA Dr Bharath Shetty, deputy mayor Sunita, president of the standing committee Ganesh Kulal, Lohit Amin, Varun Chowta, Bharat Kumar, leader of opposition Praveen Chandra Alva, MCC corporator Divakara Pandeshwara, health officer Dr Manjaiah Shetty, and MD of Pragya Automobiles Aditya Surana.
Each vehicle has a capacity of carrying 310 kg of garbage and can reach a maximum speed of 25 km per hour. The cost of each vehicle is Rs 2.08 lac.