Badaun, Uttar Pradesh:
A local mechanic has invented a motor boat by using the engine of an old scooter to to ferry people marooned in over 400 villages in the district.
Munnavar Khan, a resident of Nai Sarai area here, has assembled the motorboat by using a large 'frying pan' and installing the two-wheeler scooter engine in it.
Over 10-15 people can travel in the motor boat at a time, Khan claims.
"I have used the engine of an old scooter and its handle in the frying pan to make the boat. An exhaust fan has also been fitted in the boat," he said.
The total expenditure incurred by Khan in preparing the motor boat is about Rs 12,000-15,000 and the speed of the boat is also very good.
"It can be of great use for the common man affected by the floods," he said.
Khan sought support of the district administration to utilise his invention for the flood affected people.