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Mahendra Kumar says the covering of grasses and plants shields
the plastic and metal roof of the vehicle from direct sunlight.
"I planted them to get some respite during the heat," the
48-year-old said, standing by his green and yellow autorickshaw
in a grey uniform and a scarf slung from his neck to wipe away
sweat.
"It is sunny but the presence of these plants is keeping us cool
and providing us with fresh air," said one passenger, Maya Bisht.
Autorickshaw taxis are ubiquitous in Indian cities and popular
for cheap short-distance travel.
Kumar, who has also installed fans inside his, says the garden
features at least 25 different plants, some of them edible. "I
have grown tomatoes, mango, okra, snake gourd, and spinach."
India suffered its hottest March in more than a century and
temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in many cities for much of
April. Scientists say global warming is to blame. More than two
dozen people have died of suspected heat stroke since late March
and power demand has hit multi-year highs.
(Reporting by Krishna N. Das; editing by John Stonestreet)
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