Mr. Shashank Singh will present his MTP2 as per the details below:

Date: 16th June 2026, Tuesday

Time: 1640 - 1720 hrs.

Venue: C-TARA Conference Room No.1

Topic: Repurposing automobiles for agricultural use in rural India

Guide: Prof. Pankaj Sekhsaria

Examiners: Prof. Anand B. Rao, Prof. Himanshu Burte

Abstract:

Repurposed vehicles are locally modified machines created by adapting old or existing automobile components for new purposes. In rural India, farmers and mechanics often modify motorcycles, engines, and other vehicle parts to develop affordable solutions for agricultural operations and transportation.

This study examines two such vehicle systems—Kharpa ka Jugaad in Nayagaon (Madhya Pradesh) and Sanedo in Nimbahera (Rajasthan). The research documents the fabrication, modification, and use of these vehicles and explores the roles of local workshops, mechanics, and users in their development. The study is based on field visits, interviews, and secondary literature.

The findings show that repurposed vehicles provide low-cost alternatives to conventional machinery and support agricultural activities, transportation, and rural livelihoods. The study also highlights the importance of local knowledge, practical skills, and grassroots innovation in addressing affordability and mechanisation challenges. A key finding is that while formal regulations are based on standardised vehicle systems, repurposed vehicles evolve through continuous local adaptation and customisation.