On Sunday, the Maharashtra CM launched electronic Victoria carriages at his official residence. Making a comeback, these iconic carts are distinctly similar to the yesteryears' carriages but don't have horses pulling them. Instead, these are operated by lithium-ion batteries that offer a 60-70 km mileage on a single charge. Reportedly, 12 carriages will begin regular runs in Mumbai soon, orbiting Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and Nariman Point, where yesteryears' horse carriages were popular.
Get ready to experience the charm of vintage Mumbai
The electronic Victoria carriages are set to bring back the vintage charm of the city, attracting tourists from all over. It will be run by the same riders who drove the previous horse-driven carriages. This lot, who lost their jobs due to the suspension of Victoria carriages, were handed over the keys of the e-carts by the CM himself on Sunday.
About 12 carriages, each with a seating capacity of 6, will run along tourist spots downtown at a speed of less than 20km/hour. The horse-less carriages have been developed by Ubo Ridez, with the key-aspect of renewing the rich heritage of the old city. They are environment friendly, stated the spokesperson of Ubo Ridez, who further informed that regular runs will begin soon now that they are launched.
These might be first seen near Gateway of India as the State Transport Authority has recently cleared a proposal to run these carts there. It is believed that the Victoria carriages were in use here for a century before the services were terminated completely. Victoria carriages 2.0 will bring a retro-gleam to the palatial looking South Bombay lanes, adding the touch of vibrancy to the majestic setting.
