In a bid to reduce air pollution across all cities in Maharashtra, the state transport department decided to reintroduce e-rickshaws in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Thane on a pilot project to be replicated elsewhere in the state. The government will provide e-rickshaws instead of traditional rickshaws and there will be no charging points for the e-rickshaws. It will arrange battery stations for e-rickshaws and rickshaw drivers will be given charged batteries after submitting discharged batteries, thus saving on charging time. The first-of-itskind project has been initiated to bring down rising pollution levels.