Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee Inaugurates Women Driven 'Pink Cabs'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on February 20 inaugurated a slew of new modes of transport which are aimed at improving the city’s transport system, one of which are the pink cabs which are aimed at providing a safer mode of travel for women in the city. A similar project was recently launched in Bengaluru as well.

Mamata Banerjee inaugurates pink cabs

According to Deccan Herald, sources in the state’s Transport Department has said that the decision has been taken after taking into consideration the fact that a large number of women have been joining the workforce in the recent years, especially in the IT department. “These pink taxis will only have women drivers and will be for women passengers. As per the instruction of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the initiative has been taken under the state government’s Gatidhara Scheme,” said a senior Transport Department official.

The Times Of India reported that 20 ‘Pink Cabs’, each of which will receive a government subsidy of Rs 1 lakh under the Gatidhara Scheme. The cab drivers are not only good drivers but are also trained mechanics. Along with providing security to women this project reportedly aims at helping women become independent as well.

Reportedly, the cabs which are mostly pink and white in colour will be equipped with a GPS tracking system and provisions for a panic button during times of emergencies. The women cabbies are required to wear uniforms too and passengers must include one woman. The state’s transport department through the Gatidhara Scheme has helped the unemployed youth of West Bengal to earn a living by driving app-based cab services.

Most, if not all of these women come from humble backgrounds and have been through major hardships which make them the women they are today, The daily reported the story of Tara Sardar who worked as a domestic help until she joined the pink cab taxi service. He husband is an alcoholic and he keeps losing his job frequently, forcing Sardar to take the responsibility of running a family by herself. Similar were the stories of other women who now have a way to earn their own livelihood. Among other launches were 20 electric and 20 CNG buses. The former is worth Rs 80 lakh each which was funded with the help of a centre state partnership.

The Logical Indian take

Women in every city in India often feel unsafe while travelling alone in a cab, and for good reasons. Violence against women has become an ugly reality in the country, and it goes without saying that perpetrators most of the time include men. There have been instances where women have been subjected to sexual harassment, molestation and abduction by cab drivers. While not every cab driver in dangerous, such incidents have forced women to fear for their lives while boarding a cab. In a recent incident, a woman in West Bengal had to jump out of a running cab to escape abduction by the driver. The Logical Indian hopes other cities in the country follow suit.

Also Read: Bengaluru: To Ensure Safety, Women-Only Pink Cab Service Launched At Airport