Soon, 11 pink autos to hit roads in coaching hub
Kota is all set to get its first fleet of pink auto rickshaws, under a ‘by the woman, for the woman’ initiative.
Eleven pink coloured autorickshaws, to be driven by women and catering to female passengers, will be soon launched in the coaching hub of India by the Kota Auto Drivers Union.
“Our union is currently training 11 women in driving auto-rickshaws to help them become self reliant. Women drivers in women-special autos will also ensure safety of woman passengers,” Union president Anees Raen said.
He said woman passengers often do not prefer to sit in auto-rickshaws carrying male passengers. It was with an idea to instill a sense of security and safety among woman commuters that the idea to start pink auto service was mooted. “Only women will be allowed to sit in such pink autos. Men would be allowed to sit only if they are accompanying a woman traveler,” Raen added.
Apart from honing their driving skills, the woman auto drivers are also being trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and running ‘auto ambulance’ in case of emergency.
Shabnam Bano, one of the women who is being trained by the Auto Union, said she decided to drive auto-rickshaw to financially support her family. “I want to financially support my family. Considering the inflation, it is difficult to run the family on my husband’s salary,” the 35-year-old said.
Another woman, 37-yearold Saba Bano is all charged up. “We do not have any hesitation in running autos. Women can do everything that a man can do,” Saba said, adding that pink autos will be a successful venture as woman would always prefer autos driven by women.
Raen did not give a deadline for launch of the service but added that it would be done “as soon as the woman drivers clear the driving test.”
KOTA: