Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 10: From January, Pink auto-rickshaws will be a common sight on Bengaluru roads. These autos are specifically reserved for women and children, though drivers could be male or female.

BBMP Mayor Sampath Raj said that around 400 autos will be distributed under BBMP’s social welfare scheme, of which 20 percent will be designated as pink autos. The pilot phase will begin in January and more autos will be added after assessing the response, he said.

A subsidy of up to Rs 25,000 will be provided for those purchasing the pink autos in order to encourage more people to ply them. BBMP is also in talks with various companies seeking CSR support, for the initiative, the Mayor added.

Though Bengalureans have welcomed the concept of pink autos some feel that it will not make much of a difference with regard to women’s safety. Harassment of women has not stopped inspite of installing GPS services and CCTV cameras, says a Bengaluru resident. Another feels that 20 per cent of 400 is too less a number and it will be very difficult to spot the pink autos in the city.

Earlier, Bengaluru had become the first Indian city to dedicate parking space for women. The long-term plan is to have over 1,000 exclusive parking slots for women in the city. The Karnataka government had also launched 'Pink Hoysala' a dedicated police patrol service aimed at enhancing women's safety in Bengaluru.

As of now, cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar have pink auto services.