With the Vijayawada region having been declared the capital, the government’s focus is more on security of women. Accordingly, it is planning to rope in women drivers for taxis, auto-rickshaws and city buses for exclusive travel by women.
The government has already directed the District Collector to identify women to give training at professional driving schools. Though it is open to all, women beneficiaries from the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and Women and Child Welfare Department will be chosen initially for free driving sessions.
The Transport Department will select driving schools for training women. Accordingly, it will approach Lorry Owners’ Association Driving School, Ambapuram, and Bose Driving School, Nandigama, both not-for-profit organisations, for taking up the project.
To begin with, women will be trained to drive cars and non-transport vehicles. For obtaining cab driving licence, women should have completed Standard VIII, and one-year driving experience. For those interested in obtaining heavy driving licence should undergo a one-month special training at driving schools, a senior Transport Department official said.
Further, the department will coordinate and facilitate loans for purchase of vehicles for women, who successfully complete the training. All vehicles earmarked for the purpose will be driven by women, and only women will be permitted to travel in them.
“Since a number of corporate companies are likely to come up in the new capital, and there is a need to have safe and secure transport facilities for women, especially for those working on night shifts. Besides, this initiative will also provide self-employment for women,” the official added.
A NEW PATH OPENS
1.District Collector told to identify women to give training at professional driving schools
2.Women beneficiaries from DRDA and Transport Dept. to be chosen for driving sessions
3.Transport Department to approach not-for-profit organisations to take up the novel project
4.Government to facilitate loans for women for purchase of vehicles on completion of training
THE PROCESS
*Women will be trained to drive cars and non-transport vehicles
*For cab driving licence, women should have completed Standard VIII
*For heavy licence, one should undergo one-month special training
“Since a number of corporate companies are likely to come up in the new capital, and there is a need to have safe and secure transport facilities for women, especially for those working on night shifts. Besides, this initiative will also provide self-employment for women.”
A Transport Dept. official