Traffic police to promote Pink Auto Project

Surat: The City traffic police will work as facilitator for Pink Auto project under which women are encouraged to drive autorickshaws to earn a livelihood. The cops will provide details and put the women in touch with Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) which is executing the project.
The traffic police has assigned officers of the rank of assistant commissioners in different parts of city to provide assistance to women are interested in working as an autorickshaw driver.

“We are acting as facilitator to promote the scheme through which more women can take advantage of the scheme. Not many women are coming forward hence city police is promoting it,” said Sudhir Desai, deputy commissioner of police (traffic).

By promoting the Pink Auto project city police is also trying to improve safety of women on city roads. Police also wants to address the issue of crime being carried out using autorickshaws.

“Autorickshaws are being used by criminals to steal valuables of passengers. By promoting Pink Auto we are trying to address besides attempting to empower women to earn their livelihood,” said Satish Sharma, city police commissioner.

Efforts are also being made to make the Pink Auto available in all parts of the city round the clock so that maximum number of women commuters can advantage of it.

While the auto on Raj Marg during peak hours have been banned, Pink Autos have been given exemption in the past.

Under the project women are trained into driving an auto and provided financial assistance for purchase of an autorickshaw.