14 July,2026 07:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The state govt has decided to extend the Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme beyond the existing eight districts. File Pic
The Maharashtra government has proposed to increase the subsidy under its Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme for women from 20 per cent to 40 per cent, with the aim of promoting women's entrepreneurship and improving livelihood opportunities, reported the PTI.
According to an official statement, women who have already purchased e-rickshaws under the scheme will also be eligible to receive the benefit of the enhanced subsidy.
Under the proposed revised guidelines, beneficiaries will contribute 60 per cent of the cost of the e-rickshaw, including a minimum 10 per cent from their own funds.
The remaining 50 per cent can be financed either through an interest-free deferred payment facility provided by the vehicle supplier or through a bank loan, making the scheme more accessible to eligible women, according to the PTI.
The state government has also decided to extend the Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme beyond the existing eight districts, allowing more women across Maharashtra to benefit from the initiative, as per the PTI.
In addition, the Women and Child Development Minister has been authorised to revise district-wise beneficiary targets based on implementation requirements.
Financial assistance under the scheme will be disbursed through the office of the Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Pune.
The state cabinet has also empowered the Women and Child Development Minister to make necessary changes during the implementation of the scheme to resolve operational challenges and ensure its smooth execution.
The revised scheme is designed to strengthen women's financial independence by encouraging self-employment, supporting entrepreneurship and creating sustainable sources of income through electric vehicle ownership.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Fadnavis on Monday announced that the state government has approved a proposal to construct 145 rail overbridges over the next three years as part of its plan to eliminate railway level crossings across the state, reported the PTI.
The Chief Minister said the ambitious infrastructure programme aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and prevent accidents at railway crossings.
Fadnavis made the announcement after inaugurating nine railway infrastructure projects alongside Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
The projects, developed by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MahaRail), include four rail overbridges (ROBs), four underpasses and one rail underbridge (RUB).
The newly inaugurated projects are located in Nagpur, Sangli, Satara, Nashik and Amravati.
The Chief Minister said railway level crossings remain a major safety concern across the country.
He noted that around 21,000 people lose their lives every year at railway level crossings in India, underlining the need to replace them with safer infrastructure.
According to Fadnavis, the state government will work closely with the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to complete the remaining projects.
(with PTI inputs)
