India, Sept. 30 -- Maharashtra's Pink E-Rickshaw scheme for creating employment opportunities for women has reached only 130 beneficiaries against a target of 10,000, with difficulties in securing bank loans and obtaining driving licences slowing its implementation nearly two years after its launch.

The Women and Child Development Department had set the 10,000-vehicle target in 2024 across 17 cities. The 130 vehicles distributed by July 2026 account for just 1.3% of the original target.

Under the original financial structure, banks were to finance 70% of the vehicle cost, the government 20% and beneficiaries the remaining 10%. With an e-rickshaw costing around Rs.4 lakh, arranging the beneficiary contribution and securing a bank loan fo...