Coming soon: Shared e-scooter mobility in Chandigarh

The public bike-sharing project under the smart city has been hanging for the last over three years. Last time as well, there was a single firm that came up and that is why UT had to recall the tender.

chandigarh news, e-scooter, e-bike project, e-scooter mobility, indian express

A mobile app and a control room will be used for booking and distribution of the bikes across the city. (Representational)

THE CHANDIGARH Administration has decided to implement shared e-scooter mobility on a pilot basis. There will be 15 stations in densely populated areas initially and once its success is seen, it will be replicated across the city.

Three companies were invited and a presentation given by a Delhi-based company appealed to the UT Administration. Speaking to Chandigarh Newsline, UT Adviser Manoj Parida said, “This is a good concept and will suit Chandigarh. It is environment-friendly too. We will first try it on a pilot basis. These e-scooters will help people in covering long distances as well. It can be given on rent for around Rs 20 per hour or so.”

He added, “Moreover, this will help bring in last mile connectivity. Like if a person has taken a bus for one route, so from the bus stand he can take the e-scooter to the nearest station located near his house.”

According to the presentation given by the Furr company, e-scooter shared mobility solution will work for last mile connectivity as e-scooters will be placed at various locations and given out on rent. A mobile app and a control room will be used for booking and distribution of the bikes across the city.

As per the presentation, multiple centres will be established all over the city, particularly in densely populated areas and hubs such as near major bus stations, central market, education hubs, commercial hubs, industrial estates and district centres. In the first phase, just on a pilot basis, 15 such stations will be there.

Also, there will be a provision that verified customers can book the bike through a mobile that will have a strong verification process based on Aadhaar/other KYC details. Customers will also have the convenience of picking up and dropping the bike to any of the centres. There will be fully automated system for the convenience of customers. They will get prompt alarm for distance travelled, fare, battery / kilometres he can drive, drop zones, etc.

This project does not require any charging station. All the e-scooters will have replaceable battery and the field team will keep replacing the drained out batteries at various locations. The administration officials were also told that the scooters will be equipped with an IOT device which will help the company keep track of the vehicle and give an alarm if anyone tries to steal the vehicle.

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A field team will be there on the spot to replace batteries and manage density of vehicle at various stations.

Much before public bike-sharing project

This project will be tried on a pilot basis before the public bike-sharing project. It is to come up in two months’ time from now. The public bike-sharing project under the smart city has been hanging for the last over three years. Last time as well, there was a single firm that came up and that is why UT had to recall the tender. Before the project is implemented, the e-scooter will be implemented on a pilot basis.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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