Berhampur: The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Berhampur in Odisha’s Ganjam district has developed a new product ‘E-Trolly’ to ease the work of vegetable and fruit vendors who move from streets to streets for their livelihood.
The environment friendly e-trolley has been designed to help the vendors transport their goods easily and efficiently. It can accommodate 6 to 7 plastic crates containing vegetables and other items and a digital weighing machine.
The low-cost battery-operated trolly does not produce any emissions. It can carry a load of maximum 300 kg and cover a distance of 50 km when fully charged.
The innovative product has been designed and developed by the state government run ITI with active support from Zilla Parishad and will be used by the women vendors who have to cover longer distance carrying vegetables and household products, said Principal of the ITI Dr Rajat Kumar Panigrahy.
“The e-trolley has been developed with a new technology that has the potential to revolutionise public transportation. It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option that can help reduce carbon footprint in urban areas. As the technology continues to develop, e-trolleys will become popular in the years to come,” he said.
The e-trolly was launched by Ashirvad Parida, Deputy Commissioner, Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) in presence of the staff and students of the institution. Highly appreciating the efforts of the ITI students for a new concept which is highly helpful to the vendors, he said the Zilla Parishad will supply these e-trolleys to village level vendors under women empowerment programmes.
Hrushikesh Kothia, Electrical Instructor of the ITI who designed the e-trolly, said a 48-volt DC 7AH battery has been used in the vehicle. “It was a dream of our principal to facilitate the public through such a vehicle. It has been designed in such a way that its battery can be modified upto 30 AH. Students of Electrical, Welding and Painting trade have made this e-trolley from design to the final stage in one month,” he said.
“As it was a pilot project and the designs witnessed frequent changes, it took some more time. But we can produce more e-trolleys in less time in future. Only 5 students of Electrical, Welding and Painting trade can make one e-trolley in two days,” Kothia added.
An e-trolly costs about Rs 30,000 including Rs 15,000 for the iron frame, three wheels and another Rs 15,000 for the battery, motor and other accessories. “We can also attach the battery, motor and other accessories in an old wooden or iron trolly rickshaw,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the Transport Ministry has exempted such vehicles from permits for plying on roads. As per the Central government order, the provisions of Subsection 1 of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 will not be applied to any transport vehicle in the category of e-cart and e-rickshaw for carrying goods with personal luggage.
