Incarcerated engineer’s e-bike a big hit in prison

Coimbatore: A solar-powered bicycle made by a convict has made life easy for Coimbatore Central Prison warders, who are using it to patrol prison grounds.
V Yuga Adithan, 31, of Kavindapadi in Erode district, a murder convict, was lodged in the prison in 2017.
An Aeronautical Engineering graduate, Yuga tinkers with whatever he can lay his hands on, says G Shanmuga Sundaram, DIG of prisons. “He works in the prison factory and helps warders repair instruments. After finding an unused bicycle, he decided to salvage it and discussed the plan with the warders, who were more than willing to assist him. They helped him buy components for the e-bike,” he says.
The solar panel on the bicycle carrier is connected to a battery. A dynamo helps to charge the battery while pedalling the bicycle. The battery can also be charged using AC mains electricity.
The warders on guard duty enjoy riding the olive green bicycle. “We are planning to make nine more e-bikes with Yuga’s help,” Sundaram says.
Yuga is now making an e-autorickshaw. “He is busy in our welding unit. The work will be completed within two months. The e-autorickshaw will also be used for patrolling,” the officer adds.
The prison operates a weaving unit, petrol pump, tailoring unit, book binding unit, welding unit and a carpentry unit. It also runs a bakery, plant nursery and a two-wheeler parking lot, managed by the inmates.