A prison warder drives an auto powered by solar energy created by a convict in Coimbatore Central Jail.
Coimbatore: A convict in Coimbatore Central Jail has created an auto powered by solar energy.
Yuga Adithyan (32) hails from Kaundappadi in Erode district. He was arrested by the Salem Alagapparam police in connection with a murder case, sentenced to life imprisonment, and lodged in Coimbatore Central Jail. He has been in prison for the past 7 years. He is an aeronautical engineering graduate and is working in the prison workshop.
Apart from that, he is interested in creating useful products with available equipment. He had designed a bicycle powered by solar energy a few months ago. Following that, he designed an auto powered by solar energy a few days ago.
Coimbatore Saraka Prisons DIG Shanmuga Sundaram said in this regard: Yuga Adithyan, a prisoner, has created a solar auto. A solar panel has been installed on the auto. The auto has a battery and other structures installed under the driver’s seat. Once the battery is fully charged with solar power, it can drive for 200 kilometers continuously.
The auto can be driven at a speed of 35 km. It can seat up to 8 people including the driver. It has facilities like LED lights, horn, hand brake, tape recorder. The auto, which is being used on a trial basis, is being used well. Its production cost is Rs. 1.25 lakh. It is planned to manufacture 2 more autos and an ambulance vehicle, he said.
Prison officials said, “Currently, this auto is being used in places including kitchens inside the Coimbatore Central Jail. Once the trial use is completed, this auto will be used to take elderly and walking relatives who come to visit prisoners to the prison from the entrance gate to the visitor’s room.”
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