Mysuru/Mysore: The two e-carts (battery-operated buggies or electric buggies), which were procured by the University of Mysore (UoM) to ferry people from point-to-point inside Gangothri campus, were launched by the titular head of the Mysore Royal Family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar near Kuvempu statue at the entrance gate of the University on Sunday. 

Per trip, the e-cart can accommodate eight persons including the driver. This facility is the first-of-its-kind in the State as no University has this eco-friendly transport facility. 

Yaduveer Wadiyar, along with other dignitaries, travelled from Kuvempu statue to the Clock Tower inside Gangothri campus and returned to the starting point.

Speaking on the occasion, Yaduveer said that the University of Mysore was started by the erstwhile ruler of Mysore and added that such a facility was needed as the University is vast and it takes time to move from one Department to another by foot. One can save a lot of time by taking this buggy.

Free till Jan.31

People can travel for free till Jan.31 and from Feb.1, Varsity authorities will give the e-carts to private agencies to operate by calling tender. Per person, the fee will be Rs.5 from point-to-point (distance between 2.5 and 3 kilometres) and after first point, Rs.3 will be charged. There is no fee for physically challenged, senior citizens and patients. They will be ferried free of cost.

The battery-operated carts have been purchased by the University at a cost of Rs.8.5 lakh each from Bengaluru. While one vehicle will be stationed on Bogadi Road near Kuvempu Statue (South Gate), the other will be parked at West Gate near the gate in front of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE). These e-carts will be under CCTV surveillance.

The introduction of the battery-operated buggies is an added transport mode at the University which has 42 Post-Graduation Departments with over 2,000 students including those from over 30 countries and students and the staff are free to use their vehicles within the campus.

UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, Registrar R. Shivappa, Varsity Executive Engineer H. Kumar, HoD of Physical Education and Sports Science Dr. C. Venkatesh, heads of various Departments were present.