"Soleckshaw" launched as a Green Postal Delivery Vehicle

Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology Sachin Pilot today launched "Soleckshaw", a solar-power assisted, pedal-operated cycle rickshaw, that will be used as an environment-friendly postal delivery vehicle.

The soleckshaw will reduce the rickshaw puller's effort by providing battery assistance but is still a zero carbon emission vehicle.

The vehicle has been developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and it is expected to add to the efficiency of postal agents and give them a sense of pride.

Mr Pilot said the launch of the vehicle was part of the Ministry's efforts to use green technology and also a step forward in the Government's efforts to modernise and digitise the India Post services under Project Arrow.

As a pilot project, the soleckshaw will be introduced soon in the Project Arrow post offices in a city of Rajasthan.

Mr Pilot said the Ministry would evaluate the performance of the vehicle within a few months and explore the possibility of inducting it on a larger scale.

The batteries of the soleckshaw are charged by solar power at charging stations. Technology has been transferred to multiple entrepreneurs and soleckshaws are currently plying in Delhi (Chandni Chowk), Chandigarh, Jaipur, Durgapur, Ranchi, Kolkata and Ahmadabad.

Recently, Kinetic Motors in association with CMERI (CSIR) has re-designed and developed a modified version of soleckshaw specifically suitable as a light delivery vehicle, particularly useful for delivery of post, parcels and other postal services both in urban and rural areas.

According to an official press release, a postman is likely to carry more parcels for delivery than ordinary mail. A survey in Pune found that each postman covers an area of around 40-45 kms and carries an average weight of 10-15 kgs per day.

The soleckshaw is the ideal vehicle to enable transportation of such parcels with a minimum of effort, it said.

The vehicle is expected to improve speed and efficiency of postal delivery, increase ability to carry more load; distribute other value-added products in rural areas and provide charging facilities for mobile phones in remote areas, the release added.

NNN