Gandhinagar: Tourists visiting Vadnagar will not have to wait until they reach its monuments to get their first glimpse of the town’s heritage. Under a new initiative, existing autorickshaws are being refurbished as mobile showcases of the town’s history and culture.Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd (GSFC) has taken up the project under its corporate social responsibility programme, with support from the state tourism and transport departments. Around Rs 50,000 is being spent on retrofitting each vehicle, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.In the first phase, 21 autorickshaws have been refurbished with heritage-themed designs.
The project seeks to make local transport part of the tourism experience
Around Rs 50,000 is being spent on retrofitting each vehicle
Located in Mehsana district, Vadnagar has more than 300 registered autorickshaws. The project seeks to make local transport part of the tourism experience while helping participating drivers attract more passengers and increase their earnings.Registration remains open for drivers who want their vehicles refurbished under the scheme. Interested drivers can contact the GSFC representative at the Vadnagar ST depot, the statement said.Vadnagar, the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a history stretching back centuries and attracts tourists from India and abroad. The redesigned autorickshaws are intended to give the town a distinct visual identity while drawing attention to its historical and cultural heritage.The state govt has been working to develop Vadnagar as a major tourism destination. State-owned enterprises are also contributing to the effort. The autorickshaw project seeks to combine heritage promotion with livelihood opportunities for local drivers.
