PMC offers Rs 25K aid for e-rickshaw purchase; drivers’ unions raise feasibility concerns

The PMC will provide assistance to the first 5,000 electric rickshaws in the city, but drivers say there are not enough charging stations.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has declared a scheme of providing assistance of Rs 25,000 for purchasing electric autorickshaws in the city. (File)

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After providing financial assistance to convert petrol and diesel-run autorickshaws into environment friendly Combustible Natural Gas (CNG), the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has declared a scheme of providing assistance of Rs 25,000 for purchasing electric autorickshaws in the city. But the drivers feel the initiative will meet its desired end only if the civic body takes a holistic approach on the use of e-rickshaw in the city and not limit itself to providing financial assistance.

The PMC will provide assistance to the first 5,000 electric rickshaws in the city from the funds available with the 15th Finance Commission, he said. “The electric rickshaw will play a major role in conservation of environment by reducing air pollution. The electric three-seater autorickshaw that have done their registration with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) will be eligible for the financial assistance of Rs 25,000,” PMC environment officer Mangesh Dighe said.

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If the owner is a resident of Pune city, and the electric autorickshaw is a passenger rickshaw, then the person can apply for the benefit through https://dbt.pmc.gov.in. The financial assistance will be directly deposited in the account of the owner.

“The online registration has started and the owners should come forward to avail the benefit of the scheme while helping to reduce air pollution in the city,” said Madhav Jagtap, Deputy Municipal Commissioner.

The applicant has to fill in all the details and submit copies of RTO registration, licence, badge, Aadhaar card, Pan card, and bank account details. The hard copy should also be submitted to the civic body office at the time of verification.

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However, Rickshaw Panchayat, the largest autorickshaw union, while welcoming the PMC initiative, has raised concerns regarding its feasibility. “There were two meetings held on electric rickshaw promotion in the city. The PMC is only focusing on providing financial assistance and not working on resolving the basic issues being faced on the ground,” said Nitin Pawa, convenor of Rickshaw Panchayat.

The e-rickshaws are apparently more expensive than the CNG version and hence a financial assistance of Rs 25,000 will not encourage the purchase of new electric autorickshaws, he said.

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He urged the PMC to help those purchasing e-rickshaws to avail of financial assistance from the state and union governments. “Earlier, the PMC scheme was to provide funds for the conversion from petrol to CNG fuel autorickshaw while now the conversion is not possible and a new autorickshaw has to be purchased as they are based on new technology,” Pawar said.

The electric autorickshaw needs charging stations across the city to recharge batteries on a regular basis, he said. “The PMC should open charging stations at rickshaw stands and allow them to be operated by unions to ensure uninterrupted services. Otherwise, where will the drivers charge the batteries of their vehicles? Most of the autorickshaw service providers are from poor families and don’t have their own parking spaces. So they can’t have their own charging stations,” Pawar said.

The union pointed out that there is no system for the maintenance and repair of electric autorickshaws. If there is any problem then the vehicle is taken by the company for a check-up, leaving the owner to wait for its delivery which affects his income, Pawar said.

The civic body has been promoting the use of environment-friendly autorickshaws since 2012. The drivers were given an aid of Rs 12,000 to convert their petrol and diesel autorickshaws into CNG. “The PMC provided financial assistance to around 16,000 old autorickshaws running on petrol and diesel that were converted to CNG. The scheme was discontinued in 2020 as it was to encourage CNG autorickshaws but now only CNG or electric run auto rickshaw are allowed to ply,” said Dighe.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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