Commuters doubt scheme will help make buses safe for women

Rs. 50 crore for ‘safety of women in public transport’ scheme

July 11, 2014 01:48 am | Updated 02:03 am IST - BANGALORE

NEW DELHI, 07/03/2010: Women seen travelling a private bus on the eve of the International Women's Day, even as the Women's reservation bill is likely to be tabled tommorow which will provide one third reservation in the Lok Sabha and Legislative bodies, in New Delhi on March 07, 2010. 
Photo: V.V.Krishnan

NEW DELHI, 07/03/2010: Women seen travelling a private bus on the eve of the International Women's Day, even as the Women's reservation bill is likely to be tabled tommorow which will provide one third reservation in the Lok Sabha and Legislative bodies, in New Delhi on March 07, 2010. Photo: V.V.Krishnan

The Union Budget has proposed to earmark Rs. 50 crore for pilot testing a scheme called ‘Safety of women in public road transport’.

It said the fund would be spent by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

But some women commuters here said that a change in attitude, and not spending public money, was required to facilitate safe travelling. Devices such as CCTV cameras could act as a deterrent to an extent, but would not stop harassment entirely, they said. Many women wondered if the amount would actually be spent for the purpose.

Prathana R.L., who works in a garment factory in Kengeri Satellite Town, said, “The scheme sounds useless. We will end up paying for it.”

Vibha, who commutes to her workplace by Volvo buses, said the buses have four seats facing each other with very little space between them. “Women find this uncomfortable. If the bus seats are designed that way, they should at least be reserved for women,” she said.

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