New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Seeking to boost last-mile connectivity, a fleet of 100 e-rickshaws were today flagged off from a Delhi Metro station in Dwarka, the first such facility for people commuting in the sub-city, officials said.

Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal launched the fleet -- SmartE -- from Dwarka Sec-10 Metro Station.

"These e-rickshaws will be plying from eight metro stations of Dwarka sub-city namely -- Dwarka, Dwarka's Sec-14, Sec-13, Sec-12, Sec-11, Sec-10, Sec-9 and Sec-8, from 6 am to 11 pm," according to the DMRC.

This will boost the last mile connectivity service in Dwarka sub-city for metro commuters, it said.

"It is for the first time that e-rickshaw facility has been rolled out for metro commuters in Delhi region, covering Dwarka sub-city," DMRC said in a statement.

Initially, 100 e-rickshaws are being introduced, and the number will gradually be increased to 200 in coming weeks.

A charging-point station for the 100 e-vehicles has also been set up by SmartE to ensure seamless service through the day, they said.

"These GPS-enabled vehicles are specially designed, having covered cabin and full front windscreen to provide the last mile connectivity within an area of 3-4 km around metro stations.

"Fares have been kept at a very nominal base price of Rs 10 for the first 2 km and Rs 5 for every subsequent kilometre. The commuters can also book vehicles through the SmartE app and pay digitally,"it said.

On successful implementation of the e-rickshaw services in Delhi now, the DMRC will look to replicate it on similar format in other areas of Delhi-NCR. Delhi Metro is also working with SmartE to enable usage of metro smart cards for making payment for using these e-vehicles, officials said.

"This eco-friendly initiative of introducing e-rickshaws at metro stations will enable commuters to prefer non-polluting public transport modes over personal vehicles," Baijal said.

As on date, about 500 SmartEs e-rickshaws are already providing last-mile connectivity service from metro stations in Gurgaon (HUDA City Centre, M G Road and Sikanderpur); and Faridabad (Escorts Mujesar, Neelam Chowk Ajronda & Bata Chowk), used by more than 50,000 passengers daily, the DMRC said.

DMRC said its has partnered with a firm to operate the e-rickshaw services, under the brand name 'SmartE'.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)