TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The South India Transport Council (SITC) has recommended installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) for buses and taxis and proper regulations for the web-based taxi services, as part of series of safety measures for women using the public transport system.
Addressing the SITC conference, in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, SITC Secretary R Sreelekha, IPS, of the Kerala police, placed before the SITC members the need for safety of women in public transport, especially in the wake of recent Uber rape incident and Nirbhaya gang rape, both reported in New Delhi.
“At present there is a need to focus on the safety of women in public transport. The installation of GPS system could be one such safety measure that can be adopted. Women need to feel safe and secure in the public transport,” she said.
“Web-based taxi service is creating havoc. They should be brought under control. They should be regulated,” she said.
Telangana Minister for Transport Dr P Mahendra Reddy stressed the need for safety of women in public transport, considering the present scenario where they feel unsafe.
Karnataka’s Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy focused on the need to regulate web-based taxi services. “In the recent past, there is confusion regarding the regulation of web-based or App-based taxi operators. I would urge the Central government to frame guidelines for regulations, so that there will be uniformity (of their operations) in the country,” he said.
Reddy said there is need to improve safety features in buses through installation of GPS and providing emergency exits. He urged government to make necessary amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 to make safety features compulsory.
