BENGALURU: Dedicated charging stations, clean toilets and other basic infrastructure will soon be developed at suitable locations for women auto drivers, Mahadevapura MLA Manjula Aravind Limbavali said on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating a free auto-driving training programme for women and transgender persons, organised by Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) and IT firm CGI, she said the lack of clean toilets was a major challenge for women auto drivers. Dedicated facilities could encourage more women to take up the profession, she said.
She said women-driven autos could offer a safer option for IT employees travelling during night, while providing the women a livelihood opportunity.
Revathy Ashok, B.PAC CEO, said trainees would receive instruction in driving, financial and digital literacy, basic English, road safety and traffic rules and practical exposure to traffic management systems.
The B.PAC aims to train 10,000 women auto drivers across Bengaluru by 2030. One beneficiary, Malathi, said her monthly income rose from Rs 8,000 to up to Rs 25,000 after receiving training and support.