HIDCO set to introduce e-cars for hire in New Town

Kolkata: Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) is going to introduce electric cars, which can be hired for self driving in New Town.

Anand Biswas, a representative of Zoomcar, met senior HIDCO officials including its chairman Debashis Sen and discussed the issue. They also visited the three charging stations set up in New Town. If things go as per planning, New Town will get e-cars for hire by July.

It has been decided that 2/3 cars will be stationed near Axis Mall. Those who want to use them, will have to subscribe to the service though an app. Zoomcar is yet to fix the rent and other related issues. It has been learnt that the representatives of Zoomcar have expressed satisfaction over the arrangement.

Meanwhile, the New Town Development Authority (NKDA) will conduct a survey on the charging stations. People will hire the e-cars, visit their destinations and leave the vehicles after making necessary payments. NKDA will earmark the areas where the owners can leave the vehicles.

The introduction of e-cars for hire is another step towards making New Town a green city.

It may be mentioned that New Town is the first area in Bengal where air-conditioned electric buses have been introduced a month ago. In the past one month, more than 10,000 people have travelled in the buses.

There are three such electric buses and they cover the areas that are not covered by ordinary buses. The bus drivers collect the fare themselves and special training had been given to them.

HIDCO has also introduced a cycle-sharing scheme that has become immensely popular. There are graded cycle paths and the scheme has become very popular among the younger generation.

The scheme of hiring e-cars is likely to be a success as well, as the cars are easy to handle and comfortable.