The Chakda: India's True Jugaad Vehicle
India is full of jugaads and I totally love our creative use of available resources to make things work. And not just work, but admirably too. A case in point is the Chakda, a brilliant and colorful working version of the 500 cc Diesel engine of Enfield Motor Company (then Royal Enfield) and that can comfortably carry in excess of 20 people. This jugaad was created by the people of Gujarat to meet the public transportation needs of the people living in the small desert villages of Kutch and Saurashtra and to tackle the tough road conditions offered by this terrain. Designed like a tri-motorcycle, the Chakda has a front driver’s seat that resembles a typical motorcycle with a 2 wheeled carriage at the back that has leaf spring suspension systems of heavy vehicles to handle the heavy loads and the bad terrain. And usually like most of the things of this desert region, even the Chakda is very vibrant and colorful. Such is the popularity of this vehicle that is has been featured in a lot of music videos, TV shows and movies. Do not miss the opportunity of experiencing it for real on your next holiday to the Kutch or Saurashtra region of Gujarat. And if the driver is kind enough, do give the belt drive a whirl and ride the Chakda for yourself and experience the magic of India’s true jugaad vehicle where even a dinosaur such as a 500 cc Diesel Enfield engine is not allowed to go extinct!
