Women drive eco-friendly autos with meter-based fare

Call 98449 73311 to book an autorickshaw, and an eco-friendly autorickshaw driven by a woman will be at your service, while the auto fare to be charged is based on the auto fare meter rate.

In a unique initiative, Prakruti Auto in Hubballi has launched the service of battery-operated autorickshaws driven by women, and the fare will be Rs 23 for initial 1.6 km, and Rs 12 for additional one km each, the rate fixed by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA). Bringing eco-friendly transport, women empowerment and affordable price for passengers under one service, two such autorickshaws under 'Nimma PA' service have been launched in the City.

At present, this auto service is available for areas on Gokul Road, and at Vijayanagar, Vishweshwar Nagar, Rajnagar and parts of Vidyanagar. The service is available from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

"We fought for the implementation of fare meters in autorickshaws in the twin cities, but this has not yet been implemented. We had an idea to do something on our own, and Prakruti Auto came forward to implement that idea. The firm trained two women, and bought two battery-operated autorickshaws. The plan is to run 20 more autorickshaws in next one year," says Prakruti Auto mentor Santosh Nargund.

Whenever a tourist comes, he or she gets an image of the City through autorickshaws, their fare, and drivers' behaviour. We also wanted to create a positive image in this regard, he added.

Prakruti Auto proprietor Somashekhar Betageri noted that auto fare is displayed in a tab fixed in the vehicle, while a separate mobile app for booking is also being developed. Such a unique initiative has been launched for the first time in the State, and it would be expanded to Dharwad City within three months, he added.

Shamshad Basti from Jannat Nagar in Dharwad, who was a housewife for nearly 20 years, is one among the drivers of 'Nimma PA' auto. "Prakruti Auto trained me in autorickshaw driving and I got the driving licence. I decided to take up this job to show that women can lead a self-reliant life. Women drivers can take better care of women and children passengers," she said.

Another driver Manjula Hiremath, of Nekar Nagar in Hubballi, has the experience of driving gear autorickshaw, and she stated that more women can join the team.

On Sunday, social activist Sharada Gopal, Dr Anita Kadagad (Kembhavi), and Geetha Salimath were the guests at the launch of 'Nimma PA' auto service. Dr Anita noted that she would offer free treatment to these two women auto drivers who showed the courage to drive autos even amidst the dust menace in the City.