E-Auto facility available at Chennai Metro Stations soon

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Solar or electric-powered autorickshaws will soon start operating from metro stations in Chennai to provide commuters with an eco-friendly public transport for last-mile connectivity. The service will coexist with the present eco-friendly transport fleet of Chennai Metro Rail Corporation.

According to sources, a mobile app-based e-auto service was being planned on the lines of those recently launched. The e-auto has many safety features for passengers and is mostly driven by women. The proposal is under consideration according to the sources."Apart from regular share autos and cabs which operate up to a specific distance from stations, CMRL operates app-based e-bikes in collaboration with two different startups across eight stations.

The service involves pick-up and drop-off hubs in and outside stations enabling commuters to book bikes through an app", said an official.

"A four-car metro train, which runs approximately for about 400km a day, generates around 1900 kWh through the traction system. This electricity is mostly consumed by the rolling stocks (trains) on the same electrical section and the remaining is fed back to CMRL's 33kv network. Generating its own power reduces dependency on Tangedco, which in turn can save its power generation and eventually carbon emissions", a report added.

In addition, CMRL has solar panels of more than 5.5MW capacity installed at the stations to power lights. It also has plans to commission an 8MW solar power plant to generate more than 1.16 crore units of electricity for train and station operations and save up to 2.54 crore every year towards the purchase of electricity and also help cut down carbon emissions of up to 11,587 tonnes a year.