Drive towards ‘women empowerment': Ajit Pawar flags off pink e-rickshaws; over 10k vehicles to hit the streets in eight districts
By Vaishnavi Joshi and Alister Augustine
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday presided over a function in Pune where electric three-wheelers were distributed to women beneficiaries in the state. An initiative of the Women & Child Development Department, the project aims to distribute 10,000 eco-friendly, Kinetic Green electric rickshaws across eight districts—Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Along with Pawar, Minister for Women & Child Development Aditi Tatkare, Minister of State Meghana Sakore Bordikar and Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe were present.
Under the scheme, the government is providing a 20% subsidy on each e-rickshaw. The beneficiaries need to make a 10% down payment, while the remaining 70% will be covered through low-interest bank loans facilitated by financial partners. To ensure long-term support, Kinetic Green is offering free driving training, assistance with license procurement, and a robust five-year vehicle warranty with an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC).
Speaking at the event, Ajit Pawar said, 'The main objective of this scheme is to make women financially capable and empowered. If women are financially empowered, every decision they make in life will be confident and self-reliant. These pink e-rickshaws will be very safe for women's travel. I appeal to women to prefer them while commuting.'
The state government has sanctioned ₹80 crore for the initial phase of the scheme. Pawar also emphasised the government's responsibility in helping women become self-sufficient.
Minister Aditi Tatkare highlighted the success of the first phase. 'Today, 60 women are getting their pink e-rickshaws—38 from Pune and 22 from PCMC. We've ensured that 90% of these women have completed their training,' she said.
She also stressed on the need for further infrastructure support, saying, 'We request Ajit dada to make sure there is a proper parking space for these pink e-rickshaws and to collaborate with the metro stations, Pune airport and other cab services apps to make travelling, especially for women, easier to and from the metro stations and airports. And provide a safe source of income for these women. This will benefit both the women passengers as well as the women driving the e-rickshaws.'
She added, 'We will make sure they have proper charging stations to charge these e-rickshaws, and along with this, a 5-year insurance to ensure proper maintenance of the rickshaw will be guaranteed to all women driving them. This is guaranteed by the agency Kinetic Green.'
Each e-rickshaw comes equipped with GPS navigation, and the drivers will receive five years of insurance coverage. The vehicles offer a range of 120 km per charge, seat four passengers, and feature digital panels, dual suspension, and high ground clearance for a smoother ride.
Kinetic Green Co-founder Ritesh Mantri said: 'We are ensuring proper training and helping with license procedures. Maintenance will be our responsibility for five years, and we will be setting up charging stations across ten districts.' He also mentioned that the scheme prioritizes women between the ages of 20 and 50, particularly widows, divorcees, and those from economically weaker backgrounds.
'I used to leave home early in the morning and clean 5 to 9 houses every day just to earn a little money,' said Laxmi Tuttar, a 30-year-old resident of Pune. 'Even after all that hard work, my legs would ache and I'd return exhausted, but the money was never enough to take care of my family, school fees, groceries, and medicines. My husband helps as much as he can, but expenses are too high. When I got selected for the pink e-rickshaw scheme, I felt like my life was finally taking a turn for the better. This is the first time I feel like I'm not just working—I'm building something for myself and my family.'
'Now, when people sit in my rickshaw, I drive them with pride. I don't have to bow to anyone anymore. That moment when I got to drive Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Aditi Tatkare and Neelam Gorhe Madam in my pink e-rickshaw during the launch was one of the proudest days of my life. I want to keep driving every day, save up, and one day, maybe even buy another rickshaw for my husband,' said Laxmi.
Ajmira Saradar, 27, once a domestic worker, said, 'For years I swept and cleaned homes, barely earning enough to feed my family. When I was told I was selected, I cried. This is not just a vehicle, it's a gift of independence.'
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