GPS to track free e-ricks at Lajpat Nagar market

NEW DELHI: One-and-a-half-years after introducing free e-rickshaw facilities for visitors to the Lajpat Nagar market every day, the market association has installed GPS devices in these rickshaws to ensure non-stop services to the shoppers.

The members of Traders’ Association Lajpat Nagar said that the move will help in tracking the movement of these e-rickshaws and ensure that they regularly pick visitors from metro stations to the market.

“Since it is difficult for us to see their performance physically, through the recordings at our office, we will be able to monitor their function. The free e-rickshaw service is available from Lajpat Nagar metro station to two important roads — Veer Savarkar Marg and Feroze Gandhi Marg — connecting the central market with two different sides,” said Ashwini Marwah, joint secretary of the association.

In November 2017, the traders’ association had introduced 10 e-rickshaws for free rides from metro station to the market after taking permission from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). The association decided to bear the entire cost of the facility.

“However, after seeing increasing demand, we decided to increase the number of e-rickshaws from 10 to 14 and also installed GPS devices on them. Each rickshaw owner is being paid Rs 900 per day and the service is open from 11am to 8pm, except for half-an-hour lunch break in the afternoon,” said Marwah.

Earlier, the association had taken permission to run the parking lot in the market. In return, the association pays SDMC Rs 17 lakh per month.