The state Women and Child Welfare Department has announced a government initiative to distribute pink electric autorickshaws to economically disadvantaged women aged 18 to 35. The e-rickshaws will be offered at a 20 percent subsidy.
According to the notification issued earlier this month, the program aims to provide a sustainable livelihood for 10,000 women in need.
The pink e-rickshaws will be allocated across 17 major cities, including Mumbai suburbs, Thane, Pune, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, Solapur, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Amravati, and Panvel.
The scheme was introduced by State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in the Budget 2024-25 last month.
Mumbai suburbs, Pune, and Nagpur will each have approximately 1,400 beneficiaries for the e-rickshaw program.
Applicants must have a family income below Rs 3 lakh per year. They will be eligible for a loan covering 70 percent of the vehicle’s cost, which is estimated at Rs 4 lakh.
The acquisition of e-autos is being facilitated through collaborations with financial institutions and local vehicle suppliers.
Selection of beneficiaries will be managed by committees established by the collectors of each district.
If there are more applicants than available e-rickshaws, a lottery system will be used to determine the beneficiaries, as mentioned in the notification.
