Seems like the much awaited CNG rickshaws ^[1] have finally landed (assembly-line snaps courtesy Raja Islam ^[2]). Spotted one such ‘greener alternative’ to the iconic rickshaws of Karachi in Clifton yesterday. Besides being colored green (physically), these three-wheelers are supposed to be effectively green because of two reasons: they run on CNG which pollutes the environment less and these rickshaws are as soundless as any regular car.

Of course, this is true for the unaltered version of these CNG rickshaws. What ‘twists’ are given to these features later by the innovative local auto-technicians remain to be seen in due course of time.

Back to the review: For a change, there are two head-lights in the front. The older rickshaws used to have just one on top of their singular front wheels.

The cost of the rickshaw as stated by the oh-feeling-so-proud driver is Rs 150,000 without registration charges. I believe that registration would add another 5,000 ~ 8,000 to the total cost.

There is still no steering wheel for the driver but the ’steering handle’ is now blessed with at least four meters. This is a major deviation from the earlier practice of pasting a dummy speedometer at the center of the steering handle that was just a decoration item and actually did nothing.

Gone is the typically hand-driven kick-start operation. The driver pushed a neat button on the handle that made use of the battery to start the engine which was pleasantly silent. The silencer, at least for now, is quite visible from the rear view of the three-wheeler.

The rear seats appeared to be more comfortable and spacious in terms of leg-space offered to the riders. I could not find out about the capacity of the CNG cylinder that comes fitted. And finally, to put some more decency in the younger cousin, there are wheel-covers that give the bigger-than-previous tires a finished look. The shiny vehicle was void of any additional decorative paintjob on the body but I am sure the vehicular linguists in the backyards of Patel-para where Rickshaws are meticulously decorated and painted must be yearning to put the latest consignment of the mobile-literature ^[3] on these newer rickshaws.