MANHARA (Motor Assisted NARI HAndicapped RickshAw)

Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) has developed a very low priced motorized vehicle for physically handicapped persons. It is christened as MANHARA (motor assisted NARI handicapped rickshaw). MANHARA is motor assisted handpowered vehicle. It is powered by a small electric motor running on batteries, which helps the person to propel it to longer distances. Thus the physically challenged person needs to hand pedal it while the electric motor assists him in the task.There are close to 3-4 million physically handicapped persons in India who have capable hands but need wheel chair for mobility. MANHARA will come as a great blessing for most of them. Presently in India a completely battery operated wheel chair costs, anywhere from Rs.100,000 to 200,000/- ( US$2000 to $4000) and they have to be imported. The idea of MANHARA has came from the very successful work on MAPRA which NARI has pioneered and developed.

Attributes of MANHARA
- Weight 54.5 kg (including batteries). Dimensions of 165 mm (L) X 143 mm (H) X 82 mm (W)
- In one battery charge MANHARA can go to 25-30 km distance at a speed of 10-12 km/hr.
- Very easy to drive and completely silent.
- Has a hood to provide shade to the person.
- Big basket at the back of MANHARA for carrying goods. Besides giving mobility, MANHARA can also allow physically challenged person to use it for running small business like courier service, selling small quantities of produce etc.
- Expected to cost between Rs. 12-15,000/- in mass production. Present cost is Rs. 20,000/- (including batteries and battery charger). These are handcrafted experimental vehicles.












NARI has also developed an electric trike (You Tube video) for aged and handicapped persons. The trike can go to 40 km in one battery charge and has smooth start and reverse gear features. The cost of handcrafted experimental vehicle is Rs.60,000/-


Electric trike


















NARI can offer these technologies for licensing..