NDMC trained women drivers to drive government vehicles soon

NEW DELHI: Women drivers trained by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will soon be seen driving government vehicles, with a proposal mooted by the civic body getting a positive response from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

NDMC had in March announced to launch an all women's cab service "Shakti" to ply in areas under its jurisdiction. Women drivers for it were supposed to be recruited from the technical institute run by the civic body.

In order to extend the plan beyond NDMC areas, the council recently wrote to the Centre seeking support for the initiative, following which the women and child ministry wrote to all departments under the Centre to promote the idea.

"It would be helpful if your Ministry/Department would call for proposals from vehicle suppliers for supply of vehicles specifying that they will be operated in part or in full by the trained women partners, including those trained by the NDMC," says the letter issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development.

"The council has so far received positive responses from Chattisgarh Bhawan, Madhya Pradesh Bhawan, Food and Civil Supplies Department, Tourism Department and Postal Department," a senior NDMC official said.

"We have proposed that the services can be availed by the different departments either on an annual basis or based on requirements," she added.

Currently, over 40 women are being trained as drivers in the council's technical institute and the ones who get a commercial driver's licence will be engaged in the work.

"In view of the increasing number of crimes against women in buses and taxis, having women drivers and women cab services will be of relief to people. Also, more women will come forward to take up commercial driving," the official said.