Elevated view: 'Chariots' for Delhi cops to patrol crowded areas

NEW DELHI: Taking a step towards sustainability, Delhi Police has begun patrolling on 'chariots' - three-wheel transit pod e-bikes that give cops an elevated view and make moving in crowded and narrow areas easier.
Currently, only one e-bike is being used in Connaught Place's Inner Circle, but more are expected to be procured, depending on the results. Both male and female officials have been using the bike, especially during rush hours and weekends.
On Monday afternoon, many visitors and hawkers looked on keenly as sub-inspector Rashmi Choudhary moved around on the e-bike in Block A.When a woman selling bangles and jewellery items asked her if she could take a photograph, the SI politely obliged.
"I am currently on probation but have always wanted to be on a field job. I love sports and have been a boxing and Judo player as well. The advantage of the bike is that it allows us to patrol areas like CP's Inner Circle that are more crowded, and where a minor issue often turns into a fight or a quarrel," said Choudhary.
She added, "There is patrolling even outside, but the most important thing is making our presence felt in the interiors and to respond quickly."
Choudhary, who has been using the bike since a week now, said it has hugely helped, especially during the weekends when the crowds swell.
Apart from Choudhary, head constables Sunil Kumar and Prashant Giri, both from the 2010 batch, have also been riding the bike for patrolling.
"The CP area is usually crowded with office-goers, shoppers and others who come to visit religious places. The bike is equipped with a public announcement system, so in case we want to make the public aware of any issue or even make a general announcement for the crowd, it makes the job easy," Kumar said.
The bike, named the Chariot e-mobility, can travel at a speed of 20kmph. It is equipped with a bottle holder, two lockable storage boxes, a loud siren and a public announcement system, integrated patrolling lights in red and blue for visual alert and high-intensity front LED lights. Its major advantages are that it makes the commute in narrow and congested lanes quick and is also easy to get off and on.
Many officials at the Connaught Place police station who have been using the bike highlighted some issues too. For instance, the bike does not have a seat and standing constantly could be an issue.
Moreover, some officials pointed out that the bike is slightly off balance as the front wheel is bigger than the two rear wheels.