Mumbai:To ensure an easier commute for physically-challenged people in the city, Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar distributed special scooters to them on Wednesday at his new official residence in Rani Baug, Byculla. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has provided Rs 3 crore in its budget for this purpose and plans to give away 857 scooters to select applicants.
The BMC will bear 95 per cent of the vehicle’s cost, while five per cent will be borne by the candidate. The scooters cost Rs70,000 each. The candidate can also choose to be reimbursed for the subsidy amount, which will be directly deposited in their bank account on producing a receipt for their purchase.
On Wednesday, in the first phase of distribution of the scooters, Mahadeshwar gave away 11 scooters. In all, 877 applications were received by the BMC, of whom 857 were found eligible. The selection process was through an online lottery. The eligible applicants had to submit documentation — a driving licence and a fitness certificate stating more than 40 per cent physically-challenged certified by the All India Institute of Physical and Medicine and Rehabilitation.
