Chai on wheels: Now get your hot cuppa from moving autos

You’re on the road, tired after a long day, and can’t seem to find a tea stall close by. Imagine if an auto could come to you, wherever you are, and hand you a piping hot cuppa. That’s very possible soon enough across the city, as Gilli Chai has flagged off its one-of-its-kind electric auto rickshaw, which can serve up on the go tea and a crisp hot snack to go along with it.

A project of Gilli Hospitality Private Ltd, the e-autos will be operated in the city as part of their Gilli Chai outlets. The brick-and-mortar tea kiosks of the brand located in T Nagar, Perambur, Besant Nagar and Kodambakkam will also double up as filling stations for the chai autos, which will go around different neighbourhoods. Mohamed Rahmathullah, the Managing Director, says, “Food is an interesting space to do business in, and mobility is another exciting aspect. We wanted to combine the two and bring out environment-friendly autos that could go around different parts of the city. Tea consumption in Tamil Nadu is huge, and what could be better than having a tea outlet that is an e-auto with zero emissions.” The first chai auto, which will be run completely by women, will ply in the neighbourhoods of T Nagar. “We are looking to have 50 such e-autos, which we have retrofitted with tea outlets in collaboration with Mauto Electric Mobility, across the city within a year so that one can find the autos at all the major localities of Chennai,” he adds.

At these e-autos, one can find close to 50 variants of chai being served — dum chai, cardamom chai, masala chai, dry ginger chai, sulaimani, earl grey, herbal teas like green tea, tulsi chai, turmeric chai, karpooravalli chai, chocolate chai, and some iced coffees and milkshakes. “We are also working on grab-n-go south Indian tiffins like idli, vada, besides pastries and icecreams. We will be making these breakfast items in a more fun manner, so that it’s easy to grab them on the go, just the way sandwiches are picked up across the world,” says Tiruchy-born Mohamed, who worked as an IT professional in Saudi Arabia and the UK, before moving back to Chennai.

Chai stalls have traditionally been male dominated with cigarette smoke and the brand aims to change that, he remarks. “We want these e-autos and outlets to be manned by women as well, so that families can enjoy their tea time,” he adds. William Jeyasingh, the founder of the brand, says plan to open more chai kioks is on the cards, and some of the signature outlets will also have meeting rooms and event spaces.