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A new face of urban transport

PALLAB BHATTACHARYA writes from New Delhi
THE picture of a sweat-soaked rickety man pedalling away cycle rickshaw may be a thing of the past in India which has unveiled a state-of-the-art solar-powered version of one of the most popular modes of public transport in the subcontinent.
The "soleckshaw," as the solar-powered rickshaw is called, is a motorised cycle rickshaw that can be pedalled normally or run on a 36-volt solar battery.
Developed by the government-owned Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), prototypes are being tried on some of the most congested roads of the Indian capital at Chandni Chowk locality criss crossed by a maze of narrow and winding lanes and bylancs, choked with all sorts of vehicles and pedestrians.
The soleckshaw is expected to provide a solution to India's quest for pollution-free traffic and an escape for back-breaking human toil in rains, under blistering sun and biting cold.
Pedalling is not necessary but if one wants one can do that to run the soleckshaw which is already being touted as as the poor man's Nano, the world's cheapest car at 2500 US Dollars.
Your journey on solar powered rickshaws will be given the additional facilities of listening to FM radios and powerpoints for charging mobile phones.
The soleckshaw has a maximum speed of 15 kilometres per hour and can accommodate up to
three persons and a fully-charged solar battery will pthe three wheels of the rickshaw.
Hailing the soleckshow, India's Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who is a member of Parliament from Delhi, said "there is a need for urban transport which is comfortable and affordable for the underprivileged. The Soleckshaws will be their Nano."
Soleckshaw is being projected as the new face of urban transport for short distance rides to schools and nearby metro rail stations from home.
Launching the soleckshaw at Chandni Chowk, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said "it is a sturdy mode of transport which is functioning on clean energy. We will discuss with the police on where all it can ply and for how much distance."
Sibal expressed the hope that the corporate sector will step in to manufacture these rickshaws for their low pricing and environment-friendly technology.
He suggested soleckshaw be used near the Taj Mahal and other monuments on the ground that their carbon foot print is zero.
It is expected that the rickshawpuller will be able to earn more than Rs 4000 a month and these rickshaws which cost Rs 7,000 the same as the old ones.
Director General of CSIR Samir K Brahmachari said advanced versions of soleckshaws will have better aesthetics and a speed of 15 kmph and will be ready for a full-fledged launch before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.