If you remember, the “Pink Auto” service was launched for the women commuters in Jharkhand in March 2015. And now, it’s Mumbai’s turn.
You read that right! These women drivers will ply special autos which will be colored pink or light orange. And it will cater largely to the women commuters.
In a lottery process organised at the Andheri RTO, around 548 women won the rickshaw permits. Out of these, 465 women were from Mumbai. There were 1781 permits reserved solely for women. Out of these, 465 have been allotted through lottery. The rest 1316 permits will also be allotted to women and they are welcome to come forward with their applications.
State Transport Minister Diwakar Raote told:
Here are some of the characteristics that this system promises:
1. The female drivers will ply the autos mainly on share routes, and women commuters will be largely preferred.
2. The women drivers will not have to wait for a year to get their badge; it will be done in just a month.
3. Even the uneducated ones have been given the permit. This way, it will generate employment in large numbers.
4. The total number of autos will be increased to 3 lakhs, which will reduce the transportation hassle. At present, there are 1.6 lakh autos.
5. Though preference will be given to women commuters, it will help men commuters too.
Isn’t this fabulous? With cities like Delhi and Hyderabad already having women autorickshaw drivers, this move definitely adds a feather to the cap.
More power to women! 🙂
News Source: Times Of India