New Delhi: Come Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2), solar rickshaws will replace man-pulled pedicabs in the Chandni Chowk area of old Delhi.

Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who also represents the constituency in parliament, Friday advised Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to introduce these green vehicles from Oct 2.

The rickshaw would weigh 210 kg and would be able to run at a speed of 15 to 20 km per hour.

It would be run by a solar battery, which would suffice for a journey of 70 km.

The battery would take five hours to be charged with the help of solar panels in the charging unit which will be functional above the Delhi metro stations, an official of the city government said.

It is expected that these rickshaws would ply within a radius of 3 km from the Chandni Chowk metro station.

The solar powered rickshaws in Chandni Chowk would be a pilot project and its success will pave the way for implementation in other areas.

Dikshit expressed confidence that the project will be eco-friendly, passenger-friendly and suitable for a locality like Chandni Chowk.

The rickshaw would cost approximately Rs.17,000.