Women conductors of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) will now give a Karate chop or two to mischief mongers and eve teasers. After the recent Delhi rape incident, the RTC authorities have decided to train women conductors in karate to keep bad elements at bay.
Corporation Vice-Chairman and Managing Director A.K. Khan on Monday inaugurated a special karate training programme for women conductors at RTC Hakimpet Academy.
All the 10,000-odd women conductors will undergo karate training at the Corporation’s six zonal academies in Hyderabad, Warangal, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Vizianagaram and Nellore.
In an effort to curb the menace of eve teasing and misbehaviour with women, the Corporation has tied up with a few karate experts in the city for conducting training sessions. All women conductors in the State will undergo training, in a phased manner, at the respective zonal academies.
Rigorous exercise
During the training period, the learners will be put through a rigorous two-hour exercise in two sessions on a regular basis.
In all, there are close to 40,000 conductors in APSRTC. Men will be imparted karate training at a later stage. Said a senior RTC official: “After the Delhi rape incident, we have intensified passenger safety measures, and karate training is one such initiative. The Corporation always strives for the safety and comfort of passengers and women conductors.”
RTC officials maintained that it was the duty of conductors to help women and senior citizens to get their seats in buses. “If mischief mongers try to occupy seats meant for ladies or create nuisance, they will have to face action. The karate training for women conductors will also boost their confidence,” they said.
