The Telangana government is likely to employ 10 more women as part of the ‘She Cab’ initiative. The announcement is officially expected in December, and interested women can register, said RTA Joint Commissioner.
Despite the various reports dubbing the project a failure owing to poor patronage, RTA Joint Commissioner V Ramesh told TNM that ‘She Cab’ will continue and would employ at least 10 more women. A Times of India report last year had noted that between November 2015 to June 2016, only 4623 trips had been completed. Six operation She Cabs averaged three trips a day each compared to regular cabs that eight trips.
Denying reports that the project is a failure, he said. “It is true that we had difficulties in finding women who could drive, during its launch, but we are hopeful that we can find many more women, who are willing to take up the driving profession.”
She Cab was introduced in the state in 2015 with the aim of adding to the safety and security of women commuters while promoting gender equality and providing employment to women. She Cabs are equipped with safety features like panic button, and Global Positioning System (GPS) connected to the police control room.
Both, Roads and Transport (RTA) and Women and Child development were involved in the project.
While the Women and Child Development gave a subsidy of 55% to buy the car, the RTA had processed the bank loan for the same, informed Ramesh.
Welcoming the decision of the RTA Department, K Balamani, She Cab driver, said that the government has been helping in empowering the women.
She said that the government need not have apprehensions whether woman drivers would come forward or not.
“The project without an untoward incident for the past two years is a testimony to its success. Out of the 10 drivers, three of them have owned the vehicle by paying the full due. So, women need not fear if this is a profitable venture. You can earn as much as you want, if you work hard in this profession,” she said.
The project is likely to cost the state exchequer Rs 30 lakh.
The She Cab services are currently operational in Hyderabad from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Another She Cab driver, Subashini said that the government should expand the project across the state, as it would provide more employment to women