‘Now, our levels have increased.. we have been given new buggies to drive’: e-carts driven by women launched at SGNP to ferry tourists

Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee

In a green and women-centric initiative, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, in an online ceremony, launched the eco-friendly e-cart services at the SGNP to ferry tourists within the park premises. At least 10 e-carts (e-buggy) were launched for eco-friendly transportation, of which at least eight are set to be driven by woman drivers.

At the ceremony on Saturday, Maharashtra Forest Minister and BJP leader Ganesh Naik flagged off the e-buggies and kicked off the services for visitors to the national park. The event, which also saw participation of young children, was also attended by senior officials from the state forest department.

In a move that seeks to ensure zero-emissions and curb air pollution within the SGNP, the forest department has introduced the e-buggy services. According to the SGNP administration, the e-buggy services also paves the way for new means of employment for the tribals residing at SGNP padas with officials stating that tribals from the villages will be roped in to drive the vehicles.

Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee

Another woman driver Chandrakala Rathod (38) said, “Khup majja vaat tay and khup anand pan jhaalay ki aamala aata navin buggy bhetley. (We are enjoying driving the new buggies and it has given us a lot of joy).”

“Initially, we were scared as the route was much longer and also uphill. But we practised on this route and now after our training, we no longer have any fears,” added Rathod.

“Once we women decide on something, we can do anything. We have been given immense responsibility to ferry the passengers and we are very excited,” another e-cart driver Tina Naik (30) told The Indian Express.

The launch of the e-buggies comes at a time when the administration is also eyeing to reopen the iconic Van Rani toy train at SGNP for the public. Originally launched in the 1970s and later suspended in 2021, the train runs on a narrow gauge track covering an area of 5.5 sqkm known as the Krishnagiri Upvan where visitors get a chance to see animals in a mini zoo while experiencing the local biodiversity.