City women have more reason to feel safe while travelling. After the pink autos launched exclusively for women passengers in 2013, green autos were flagged off on Sunday. The fare is same for both the autos. However, the permit for most of these autos still is a distant dream.
There are around 30-32 pink autos plying on the road. Despite several attempts, drivers of these autos failed to get the administration’s permission for other prominent routes and are seen between Argora Chowk and Kadru Moore. Few among these autos are run on reserved basis from Ranchi and Hatia railway stations.
Similar to these autos, the 18 green auto women drivers are hoping to drive in each route. “We would be allotted different routes of the state capital on Monday. The administration’s approval over the driving is yet to be taken,” said Sunita Tigga, a driver of the Raj Rani Green Auto Women Drivers Association.
Meanwhile, the district administration was unaware about the green auto drivers. “We have no idea on such autos and need to check. After consulting the Transport Secretary, we would check the routes of the green autos. If required, restriction on their routes may be imposed,” Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary Rakesh Kumar Barwar said. District Transport Officer (DTO) Nagendra Paswan was also clueless about the green autos.
Notably, few months back, Rajmani Proprieties which had started the pink autos had a dispute with some of its drivers. These drivers who had purchased the autos left the company and began driving independently. The remaining ones today turned over as green auto drivers.
For the independent pink auto drivers, the green auto drivers would certainly help in providing more convenience to the single lady travelers. “It is good that more autos are launched. The banner hardly matters,” said pink auto driver Manju Devi.