Bengaluru: 500 pink autorickshaws to hit roads by April
Bengaluru roads are all set to get their first fleet of pink autorickshaws, reserved only for women, by April this year. A total number of 500 autorickshaws will hit the city roads and women drivers will be given preference to drive them. The autos will be distributed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) under its social welfare scheme. Here's all about it.
Pink autos to have CCTV cameras and GPS trackers
The launch of the pink autos was announced by BBMP Mayor Sampath Raj in November last year. The move was decided after the administrative body planned to reserve 20% of its parking slots for women. According to reports, the pink autos that will be on the roads by end of March/early April will have CCTV cameras and GPS trackers in them.
Pink autorickshaws: A part of the city's women-friendly measures
This move by the city's civic bodies comes along with a series of women-friendly measures that includes pink seats on BMTC buses, women-only coach in Metro and Pink Hoysalas. BBMP official Abdul Zakir said, "We plan to distribute 500 pink autos under our welfare schemes. We will provide Rs. 80,000 in subsidy for each autorickshaw, and the beneficiary will have to pay the balance."
Special training for male drivers of pink autos
This is an initiative for the safety of women and also women empowerment as women drivers will be given preference to drive these pink autos. BBMP official Zakir added, "The drivers can be men or women, but if the latter come forward, they will be given preference. We will provide a special training programme for male drivers to behave with woman passengers better."
