Chennai: This year's edition of Mumbai Xpress, an autorickshaw rally from here to Mumbai, is expected to raise Rs.25 lakhs for providing basic amenities in rural schools, its organisers said here on Tuesday.

"The funds raised will be used towards 10 projects along the rally route and will benefit over 20,000 students," said Aravind Bremanandam, managing director of Chennai Event Management Services, the lead organiser of the event.

This year's autorickshaw rally would incorporate a new route covering Mysore, Pune and Mahabaleshwar, Bremanandam said.

He also handed over a cheque for the Rs.15 lakh raised by the participants of the 2008 rally to Madras Midtown Roundtable 42, a city-based organization that overseas the project "Education through Freedon".

More than 30 teams, including foreign outfits, will participate in the event, scheduled to be held in August. IANS