Wheels of change: Punjab Agricultural University adds five e-rickshaws to fleet

In a significant stride towards sustainability, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) welcomed five newly donated e-rickshaws under its ongoing ‘Clean and Green PAU Campus’ initiative. Donated by Vardhman Special Steels Private Limited, under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the e-rickshaws were ceremoniously flagged off in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vardhman Special Steels executive director RK Rewari, among others. This addition brings the university’s fleet of e-rickshaws to eleven, enabling free and eco-friendly commutes across the sprawling campus.

Addressing the gathering, Rewari expressed pride in Vardhman’s collaboration with the PAU, highlighting the alignment of their values with the university’s green vision. He remarked that supporting initiatives such as the ‘Clean and Green PAU Campus Drive’ was a way to repay society and stand by institutions that have tirelessly served humanity.

Rewari underscored the transformative potential of academia-industry collaboration, emphasising that quality education, innovative technology, and sustainable solutions were achievable when corporate and educational sectors worked in tandem.

Dr Gosal, while acknowledging the donation as a symbol of corporate sensitivity towards environmental conservation, articulated the critical need for carbon-neutral alternatives. “The electric vehicle revolution is not a distant dream; it’s a necessity waiting to unfold. With limited fossil fuels and rising environmental degradation, electric vehicles offer a practical solution to reduce our carbon footprints. Their silent, emission-free operation not only lowers environmental impact but also ensures cost-effective maintenance,” Dr Gosal explained.