Mysore : Mysore gearing up for its famed elephant procession which draws over a lakh every year, the cops have taken a different route to crowd management. You won’t see them astride bikes this time. Instead, the men in khaki will be cruising along the crowds on bright yellow, three-wheeled personal transporters.

The Mysore police have decided to opt for the eco-friendly electric vehicles to man the four-hour procession from the Mysore Palace to the Bannimantap in Northern Mysore as well for Dasara bandobast.

The transporters are essentially self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicles. Mohammed Salim, police commissioner, Mysore, said two cops had already been given the personal transporters, which resemble a Segway. “Another five are set to get the transporters and they will be used during the Dasara procession. The vehicle is quite beneficial for us because most of the roads will be closed and cops can use it to man these roads. With the personal transporters, the cops will also have the option of driving along with the crowd.”

Called Irrway, they are manufactured by a company called Greendzine. The vehicle can be charged in less than six hours and can run for 25 km with a single charge. It can carry up to 100 kg weight and offers a speed of 15 km per hour. Prabhakar B Barki, ACP, Mysore said, “It is quite a good-looking vehicle with lights in the front and back. It is easier to ride the Irrway than a scooty or motorcycle.”

Depending on the results of its use during Dasara activities, Mysore police might decide to include the vehicle on a permanent basis for daily patrolling. “The vehicle will be useful in areas such as zoos or the palace where we cannot drive our motorbikes. Plus, we can use it to navigate narrow roads and man barricades. Cops were given initial training, but it is mostly about balance and very easy to use.” Salim said.