The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has introduced a pioneering initiative on the scenic Visakhapatnam Beach Road, offering a remarkable free auto-rickshaw service for local residents. Covering the designated area from Coastal Battery to Sagar Nagar, this service includes stops at R.K. Beach
Implemented since July 10, this novel service operates ten e-auto rickshaws daily during fixed hours. Priority is given to senior citizens, children, pregnant women, and physically challenged passengers, ensuring they can readily access and benefit from the complimentary auto-rickshaw rides.
The primary objective behind this initiative is two-fold: promoting eco-friendly e-vehicles at prominent tourist spots and providing a much-needed helping hand to the less fortunate. Each e-auto rickshaw driver involved in this initiative is compensated with an honorarium of approximately ₹15,000 per month.
The free auto-rickshaw service operates during two scheduled time slots: from 9 a.m. to noon and then again from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Charging facilities for the e-vehicles are conveniently available at the corporation’s e-charging service centers. Additionally, the vehicles are equipped with geo-tagging technology, allowing the authorities to monitor and track their movements.
For added transparency and vigilance, citizens can also track the blue and white e-auto rickshaws themselves. If any misuse of the free service is noticed, they are encouraged to bring it to the attention of the authorities promptly.
Committed to environmental sustainability and aiding the less privileged, funding for the e-autos, the free auto-rickshaw service, and the charging centers is sourced from the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) ‘Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund.’
Overall, this initiative represents a remarkable stride towards a greener and more inclusive future for Visakhapatnam’s beach road area, offering convenience and compassion to the local community.
