Finally here's something every long-distance traveller has been looking for: a low-cost, battery-powered mobile phone charger.

BPL has launched a battery-operated emergency cellphone charger for Rs 200. The charger operates on two pencil cells which provide 90 minutes of talk time to your mobile phone. These cells cost Rs 7 each.

The device comes with four different adaptors that can help charge almost any mobile phone in popular use in India today. It looks like a cigarette lighter and is very easy to carry.

The charger, however, is not suitable for CDMA phones; meaning not for those who use the services of Tata Indicom or Reliance India Mobile.

Meanwhile, Indu Loganathan, a user of one such charger says: "Such a cellphone charger is available in Chennai for Rs 100. But that is a non-branded, assembled kind"

So to be on the safe side, go for a BPL branded charger which also comes with a three-month guarantee.

InstaCharge emergency mobile phone charger from BPL.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda