Custom-built Chiru Ratham gets ready

Even as the Praja Rajyam Party (PR) managers are busy finalising the finer details of the party president Chiranjeevi’s road shows, the ‘ratham’ to take him to people is getting ready at a workshop specialising in fabricating such vehicles on the outskirts of the city. Contrary to expectations that it would be a hi-tech, gadget-equipped set of wheels, it appears to be just a light commercial vehicle converted into something that will effectively serve as a moving dais for the leader on short-haul drives. Built on a cabin and chassis of an Eicher Mitsubishi 1095 costing Rs. 7.65 lakh, the workers at Real Cars Auto Garage added some custom-built modifications. Managing Director of the garage, M.N.V. Ravindra Babu, said the additions included a raised platform and an air-conditioned cabin with three comfort seats, at a cost of Rs. 12 lakh extra.  The raised platform can take the weight of at least five people, including the leader, for whom there is a small, collapsible step a foot higher. Also in place is a high-end sound system with 10 speakers designed to carry Mr. Chiranjeevi’s voice across to audiences in a 200-metre radius. The veil of secrecy that surrounds anything and everything has also interestingly been extended to this workshop. The ‘ratham’ has been given two coats of white paint over a week ago and the fabricators are awaiting word as to the words that are to be inscribed, as to the name of the ‘ratham’. Only a day ago, party managers are said to have asked the garage to have a sticker affixed, depicting the ‘sun’ with blazing rays, the symbol of the Praja Rajyam.