PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Dehradun district administration has dedicated two new electric vehicles under the free Sakhi cab service to the public, enhancing shuttle services from the State’s first automated parking managed by a women’s self-help group. The Krishna SHG currently operates the automated parking, generating a daily income of Rs 29,120. The two EVs were flagged off from Parade Ground on Wednesday by MLA Khajandas in the presence of the Dehradun mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal and senior superintendent of police Ajay Singh.
The DM informed that these two cabs will provide free drop services within a five kilometre radius of Parade Ground, allowing vehicle owners to park in automated facilities and travel to nearby crowded areas without using their own vehicles. Five shuttle stops have been identified across the city, including Parade Ground, Gandhi Park, Paltan Bazaar, Clock Tower, Secretariat and Crossroad Mall. Bansal said that the administration plans to add six more Sakhi EVs soon. These vehicles will operate under a public-private partnership model and will be managed by the women’s SHG, expanding both service coverage and income opportunities for the group.
Bansal said that Dehradun now has three automated parking facilities under construction or operation with a total capacity of 261 vehicles including Parade Ground with 111 vehicles capacity, Tibetan Market with132 vehicles capacity and Deen Dayal Upadhyay district hospital with18 vehicles capacity. The facilities aim to reduce traffic congestion and provide organised parking. The State government will formally dedicate the facilities to the public shortly, he said.
Bansal stated that this initiative provides structured parking and free shuttle services while supporting women’s employment and livelihood generation. It represents a step toward managing urban traffic efficiently and creating income opportunities for local self-help groups, he added.
