[sustran] US scholar urges people to use eco-friendly means of transport

[Asija, Navdeep]

Fazilka, July 16
“The government and the people of the country should come forward to promote
the use of non-automotive traditional eco-friendly means of transportation
in Asian countries to prevent environment and fight against global warming.”

“A country like America has committed the blunder of damaging the
environment by excessive motorisation. There are over 700 cars against 1000
population in the US creating environmental imbalance,” said Albert Ching, a
scholar from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (USA) during
his visit to the border town today to study the unique dial-a-rickshaw
(Ecocab) transport system in Fazilka. The eco-cab was introduced in June
2008.

Albert ML Ching is conducting research on traditional means of
transportation in Asia and was here at the initiative of the Graduate
Welfare Association, Fazilka (GWAF).

“To attach the modern system with a traditional system like dial-a-rickshaw
initiated by the GWAF in Fazilka has prompted me to visit the town to study
the system on the spot,” said Ching, who is also a Research Assistant,
Future of Urban Mobility, Government of Singapore.

The MIT scholar lauded the latest designing of the eco-cab displayed by the
GWAF at the Research and Development Centre here set up by its patron Dr
Bhupinder Singh, retired professor, IIT, Roorkee.

GWAF patron Dr Bhupinder Singh and general secretary Navdeep Asija said the
GWAF effort to promote technical non-motorisation system is to check global
warming.

Dr Singh disclosed that the weight of new eco-cab machine has been reduced
from 100 kg to 75 kg. “We have improved by installing shock absorbers under
the seat and selecting the size of traction wheels. We are now going for
tubeless and airless tyres.”

Ching and members of the GWAF also distributed two pair of school dresses,
Rs 600 per student to three daughters of rickshaw pullers of Fazilka,
sponsored by Fazilka-based NRI Vikram Kamra.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110717/bathinda.htm#4