For the first time in India, Gilli Chai, launches an electric retrofit auto rickshaw which serves as a mobile tea shop in strategic collaboration with Mauto electric mobility at Kodambakkam on Saturday. 

This initiative is part of providing pollution free electric mobility which is environmentally friendly with tasty chai around the city, This unique chai auto will be completely managed and operated by women where the  female work force will both manoeuvre the auto and sell Chai in different pockets of Chennai. This Chai on wheels will empower women and provide them the confidence to run a socially responsible business. Thus Gilli Chai sets an example for making this business satisfying and sustainable.

"The tea consumption in Tamil Nadu is huge. Finding a street without a tea shop is a rarity. What can be better than having a tea outlet that is also environmentally beneficial as this is an electric auto with zero emissions. The women will mainly drive to busy areas like bus stands, railway stations, parks, IT Parks and tourist spots and set up the Mobile Chai outlets and serve piping hot chai," said Mohamed Rahmathullah, the Managing Director

Gilli Chai aims to introduce 50 such retro fit autos within a year and provide employment opportunities to women in all these outlets. Gilli also aims to spread its wings across Tamil Nadu and create more than 2000 jobs in the next three years.

Apart from this, three other conventional brick and mortar Gilli Chai outlets have been opened at Trust Puram, Besant Nagar and Perambur on the same day. "These tea shops will also double up as tea refill stations for the chai autos. More similar outlets are planned to open soon, some of the signature outlets will also have event halls and meeting rooms. All our shops will provide non gender biased, equal opportunity employment and will also give job opportunities to the differently abled.”, said William Jeyasingh, Founder of Gilli Hospitality Private Limited. 

Tea lovers will be treated to more than 50 varieties of tea at Gilli Chai. It also focuses on healthy eats and traditional tiffins besides pastries and ice creams, making it a go-to place for families.

Numerous socialites, government officials and celebrities were a part of the inauguration event including Actor Nassar, Nandakumar IRS, Additional Commissioner Income Tax and Actress Aishwarya Rajesh, VGP Santhosam, VGP Chairman, Tony Lobo, Council General Spain, Director SM Vasanth, Saadiq, Director Parveen Travels and Mansoor Ali Khan, M Auto Chairman.