Sibaram Sahu’s unique cargo vehicle makes many heads turn in Odisha’s Berhampur.
Mr. Sahu of Panigrahy Pentha Street has transformed an old scooter into a cargo-carrying vehicle. He is a trader of old newspapers and empty oil cans. He collects them from villages on the outskirts of Berhampur and sells them for a living.
Mr. Sahu was earlier using a cycle-rickshaw trolley for his work. He says it was hard for him to move around collecting material.
About a year ago, he came across an old scooter that was being sold off as scrap. He bought it for ₹3,000. He came up with the idea of joining the cargo-carrying portion of his cycle-rickshaw trolley to the old scooter.
A two-wheeler garage owner near his home helped him realise his dream. The front portion of the cycle-rickshaw trolley and back portion of the scooter were removed. The scooter was then attached to the cargo carrying portion of the old cycle trolley.
Mr .Sahu says with this innovative vehicle, he is able to cover more area on his daily visits to several villages. “It has added to my income,” he says.
However, he faces a major dilemma. He wants to obey traffic rules while on the road, but he is not sure whether he has to wear a helmet while driving his unique vehicle -- which is a three-wheeler and a two-wheeler at the same time.