Team Herald
PANJIM: Around 50 electrical cycles as part of India’s first electric vehicle tourism initiative was launched in Goa by Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar. The E-bikes fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers will ensure safety of the tourists, who can explore Goa in a clean and non-polluting way.
The Electrical Vehicle (EV) tourism initiative of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) through B:Live in partnership with Arcis Tours Pvt Ltd is a significant step towards sustainable tourism giving tourists and all new medium to explore and experience Goa in an eco-friendly manner.
The E-bikes which are battery powered motor for speeds upto 25kmph and electronic disc brakes for enhanced safety will be stationed on pilot basis at Divar and Old Goa. For one hour battery charge, the bicycle can travel almost 45-50kms.
Speaking at the launch, Azgaonkar said that sustainable tourism is the core of our efforts ad we are happy to take lead in creating the EV ecosystem in India setting an example for the others. “We want to encourage tourism initiatives that the pollution free and eco-friendly. Hence we encourage and support technologies and enterprises which bring about a positive environmental change,” he said.
Minister said that government is working towards improving tourism infrastructure across all the coastal belts. “Providing quality infrastructure is what our government is aiming at,” he stated.
Earlier speaking GTDC chairman Dayanand Sopte said that once successful, it will rope in 500 additional E-bikes which will give major boost to tourism sector. “Understanding the risk of vehicle emissions and their contribution to air pollution in Goa, the introduction of EV tourism will help reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.
Sopte said that it is a revolutionary initiative that provides a clean mode of commute while offering an immersive travel experience.
