Though the incessant heavy rains that had been pounding Chennai for several days now has subsided, vast areas of the city still remain water logged with transportion having taken a bad hit.
Taxi-aggregator Ola has come up with a supercool initiative of ferrying citizens stuck in flooded areas in boats in the city.
Interestingly, memes on the Chennai floods too had a mention of Ola starting a boat service.
Twitter user V (@Dichykyaaon) tweeted to Ola,
Is this true @Olacabs?? :O pic.twitter.com/ayKNxxd9pu
— V (@Dhichkyaaon) November 17, 2015To which OLA responded,
@Dhichkyaaon That isn't. But we've been ferrying people out from water-logged areas in Chennai. #OLABoat pic.twitter.com/UThNkt3OyF
— OLA (@Olacabs) November 17, 2015According to PTI, OLA in a statement said, "Ola deployed boats in waterlogged and partially submerged areas on the basis of information from the Fire and Rescue department."
Professional rowers and fishermen have been manning the boats and food and water is being provided for free. The boats have a capacity of 5 to 9 people and has enough umbrellas for everyone. The statement also specified that the boat service would continue for the next three days, and will be extended if water logging continues.
Meanwhile, Ola's initiative has been garnering praises from the social media.
So #OlaBoat is out and rescuing ppl. @Olacabs hats off for your support. #chennairains
— Anuraag D Jain (@anuraagdjain) November 17, 2015
Superb work done by @Olacabs by introducing the #OlaBoat in #chennairains pic.twitter.com/zs4plUOq5m
— vbn (@vb_naveen) November 17, 2015
@Olacabs have sent a boat to rescue people in Chennai . #OlaBoat #ChennaiDrowning #goodwork #bestwhishes pic.twitter.com/QGiR2gwK0M
— Pooja Bohra (@writepooja) November 17, 2015
Only in India can you need a boat service in an urban area during rains! Strong work improvising for the situation w/ #OlaBoat (..+good PR)
— Arps (@paediatrix) November 17, 2015
Love the way @Olacabs is going that extra mile with #OLABoat to rescue people. Hats off to you guys. #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/yuFoh3XS2a
— Sanket B Mehta (@sanketbmehta) November 17, 2015
Its not a joke anymore , @Olacabs have sent a boat to rescue people. #OlaBoat pic.twitter.com/Do4ai9pUNM
— Sathyan KM (@hellosathyan) November 17, 2015
So...#OlaBoat is a reality! @Olacabs You guys are 'uber' cooler... #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/Xby9UFuhW9
— Niveda Manohar (@nivimanohar) November 17, 2015
@Olacabs Kudos & Respect! #olaboat
— BäLä Sundär (@itzmelovely) November 17, 2015
OK, half of my frustration with @Olacabs has vanished after seeing this. Awesome initiative #OLABoat. Kudos! https://t.co/Y39iI7Gqy1
— kanupriyasindhu (@kanupriyasindhu) November 17, 2015