After offering property tax payment on mobile phones, Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) is now set to launch 'auto-on-call' service in the city. In a bid to enhance transport facilities in the city, RMC is in talks with Nirmal Foundation to launch G-Auto, an organised auto rickshaw service in Rajkot soon.
"We have decided to launch 'auto on call' service for people of Rajkot. For this we are in talks with Nirmal Foundation to launch G-Auto service in the city," said Ajay Bhadoo, commissioner, RMC.
Initiated by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), the G-Autos are laced with features such as an array of newspapers and magazines, telephones and trash bins. The service was first inaugurated in Ahmedabad by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2009.
Talking further about the upcoming service, Bhadoo said, "As Rajkot is the main center of Saurashtra region, proper transportation system and availability is necessary. Moreover the G-Auto service will not only be beneficial for passengers but also for rickshaw drivers too as it will bring an organised way of functioning among them."
For instance, under the initiative, Rickshaw drivers will get accident insurance cover and health cover too. "RMC will invest Rs 5 lakhs as an initial investment in this project as a partner and will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nirmal Foundation in this regard," said Bhadoo.
The municipal corporation will also initiate a dedicated call centre for G-Auto service and also train rickshaw drivers of Rajkot. This service will start within one or two months in Rajkot.
"The launch of G-Auto service comes at a time when auto rickshaws in Rajkot do not run as per assigned meter rate and drivers charges whatever they want. However, the G-Auto will run on meter rate. To handle the projects RMC is in talk with Akshay Mani, transport planner with EMBARQ India in Mumbai," the municipal commissioner added.
