548 women permitted to drive autos in Mumbai Metropolitan Region

The Andheri RTO’s online lottery drawn by state transport minister Diwakar Roate saw 548 women applicants get their permits to drive an auto rickshaw in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

From the 548 women permit winners, a major bulk of 425 were from the MMR region while the remaining where from five other cities in the state. Speaking to the media, Mr Raote said that the auto rickshaws driven by women would be pink or light saffron in color. “The colour will enable commuters to make out that the rickshaw is being driven by a woman and can hail one down if she feels safer to travel in it. But at the same time we are not making any different rules for these women drivers. They will be treated at par with the men drivers.”

Mr Raote also hinted that completed fresh new permits would soon be announced.

“I will announce the exact number on the birth anniversary of our senpramukh, Bala Saheb Thackeray. Until then you will have to wait,” he added.

The transport minister has also said five per cent of the 42,798 permits would be reserved for women and would not be transferred to men drivers.

“It will be given to the women auto rickshaw drivers if they qualify. This will increase opportunities for the women in the state to earn their own living,” said Mr Raote.

Other than having a domicile of 15 years as proof of residence, one of the major criterias to get these permits is to be able to speak Marathi.