Battery-operated auto-rickshaws are set to revolutionize waste management in Visakhapatnam as the Andhra Pradesh government plans to provide 65 e-autorickshaws to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). The initiative is part of the Clean Andhra Pradesh (CLAP) campaign, aimed at promoting a cleaner and greener environment.
On June 8, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy flagged off 516 e-autorickshaws from his camp office at Tadepalli. These vehicles will be used for door-to-door garbage collection in the city. The funding for the e-autorickshaws comes from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Officials from the GVMC expressed their satisfaction with the long-awaited arrival of the e-vehicles. They highlighted that the use of battery-operated vehicles will significantly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Moreover, the implementation of e-vehicles for garbage collection is expected to reduce expenses by 70% compared to diesel-run vehicles currently used for waste collection. The compact size of these vehicles allows easy access to narrow lanes and hilly areas within the city, while their maintenance requirements are relatively low.
To support the operation of the e-autorickshaws, several charging points have been set up by the GVMC at its head office, with additional charging points planned for the future. The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has also established charging points to facilitate the efficient operation of the e-vehicles.
Currently, approximately 600 CLAP vehicles are responsible for waste collection from households in Visakhapatnam. The GVMC generates nearly 1,000 metric tons of solid waste per day, with a portion sent to the Mini-Sewage Farms and the remaining waste delivered to the Jindal Waste-to-Energy Recycling plant in Kapuluppada.
With the introduction of battery-operated auto-rickshaws, the GVMC aims to enhance waste management practices, reduce emissions, and promote a more sustainable and eco-friendly cityscape.