City to get pink autos with women on wheels

A leader of the auto union based in south Kolkata has taken up the responsibility of training up to 60 women auto drivers who have shown their eagerness to make their presence felt in a profession which is undoubtedly a male bastion.

"Women these days want to stand on their own feet and at the same time contribute to the income of the family. We have welcomed women in the profession of driving and are training 60 of them," leader of the auto union in south Kolkata Gopal Sutar said.

He maintained that the union wants the pink fleet of autos to be used for ferrying women passengers only. "Our plan of putting pink colour to these autos is to ensure that they can be recognised easily by the women.

Presently, three auto drivers Mousumi, Tandra and Mumtaz Begum have rolled their vehicles on the Hazra-Tollygunge route "I have taken up this profession to support my family. My parents have turned old and need my support," Mousumi said. "I want to eke out a living of my own and for this I have chosen this profession," Tandra said. It may be mentioned that complaints of molestation by male auto drivers have often come to the forefront.

"There may be a section of women who avoid availing auto rickshaw as the driver is male. They will now be confident enough to take auto service," an auto union leader said. Applications by women drivers to roll out autos have already been forwarded to the state

Transport department.

"We are hopeful of getting the nod soon and we hope to have things in place within the next few months when the entire pink fleet with women drivers will be on road.