As a part of a Greater Chennai Corporation initiative, Tamil Nadu Chief minister Edappadi K Pazhaniswamy launched a total of 1000 smart bikes and next generation bikes on Thursday. The bikes will be added to the existing fleet and of 500 bicycles in 78 docking stations.

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இன்று (28.01.2021) @chennaicorp சார்பில் சீர்மிகு நகர திட்டநிதியின் கீழ் சென்னை,காமராஜ் சாலையில்
500 இ-மிதிவண்டிகள்
(E-Smart Bike)மற்றும் 500 அடுத்த தலைமுறைக்கான மிதிவண்டிகளை மக்கள் பயன்பாட்டிற்காக வழங்கும் திட்டத்தை கொடியசைத்து துவங்கிவைத்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைகிறேன். pic.twitter.com/5PnqM3ZbaH

— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@EPSTamilNadu) January 28, 2021

It is reported that the bikes were ready even before the COVID 19 outbreak but couldn’t be launched due to the lockdown restrictions. “We were waiting to launch them here first, but launched them in Chandigarh last December” said Darmin Dontamsetti, managing director of Smart bike mobility. Once the battery powered bikes gets fully charged, it could run of 45 kilometres, says reports. It is also could be pedaled, reports added.

Dharmin, further said that the studies in countries such as US has discovered that a commuter can reach a destination faster on these bikes than on a two wheeler or car during peak hours. He also assured that the tyres won’t get punctured and the chain won’t break.

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The e-bikes will cost Rs. 10 for the first 10 minutes and Rs 1 every minute thereafter, and will include additional GST. The next-gen bikes will cost Rs 5.5 for the first hour and Rs 9.9 for half-an-hour after that, and will also include additional GST. The new bikes will be distributed across all existing docking stations, said officials.

Ranjit Srivasthava, vice president of marketing and operations, Smart bike, has said that the next generation bikes are shaft driven and doesn’t contain chains which means that it doesn’t require maintenance. They are light because of the magnesium alloy wheels and punctures won’t be a worry due to the tubeless tyres.

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The Chief minister also inaugurated the “Namma Chennai” selfie point, off Kamarajar Salai, Marina beach. The 10 feet tall typography is made of a budget Rs.28 Lakhs and it consists “Namma” in Tamil and “Chennai” in English which means “Our Chennai”.