Though the Delhi Government and its Departments claim there has been an improvement, challenges pertaining to the safety of the average female Delhiite making use of public transportation are evidently yet to be overcome.
Repeated directives from the Central Government, various Commissions and public outcry post the December 16 gang-rape two years ago could, evidently, do precious little to alter the face of commercially-registered, passenger-carrying vehicles that constitute the bedrock of State-run transport facilities in the Capital.
Many Delhiites continue to depend heavily upon buses for long commutes despite an expanding metro rail network as well as auto-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity; both services, however, seemingly have scope for massive improvement.
Only five per cent of Delhi Transport Corporation’s fleet of low-floor buses are currently equipped with CCTV cameras, while just around 30 per cent have GPS systems installed onboard. On the other hand, DTC’s women specials, which are operated on routes that have several women colleges, too have a few takers.
Of an estimated one lakh auto-rickshaws plying in the Capital, a little over one-fourth have GPS — something that becomes worrying in light of the fact that close to 10,000 auto drivers were prosecuted for passenger-related complaints like refusal to ply, in addition to overcharging and misbehaviour by Delhi Traffic Police this year.
The DTC, on its part, claimed it was getting its act together. DTC chairman-cum-managing-director Debashree Mukherjee said: “We expect our entire fleet to be equipped with GPS in the coming two to three weeks, and are in the process of procuring an additional 1,380 low-floor buses with in-built GPS facilities soon.”
While the Corporation already has 350 female conductors, Ms. Mukherjee said, plans were also afoot to hire women drivers under a newly-launched apprenticeship programme. “As far as CCTV cameras are concerned, we have written to the Centre, requesting resources from the Nirbhaya Fund to allow installation of cameras aboard all our buses in the days to come,” she told The Hindu .
Meanwhile, a Transport Department source said the government is in the process of making GPS systems a pre-requisite for issuing permits to auto-rickshaw drivers. “Safety procedures are being streamlined for all modes of transport carrying passengers after the recent Uber rape case.”
