TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In an effort to financially empower women, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is introducing premium cab services solely driven by trained women drivers, on Thursday.
Starting with a fleet of 10 GTDC-sponsored taxis, the corporation intends to raise the number to 500 which will give employment to equal number of local girls and women.
“This is an attempt to provide employment to women in the State and make them financially independent. The 10 women drivers had undergone rigorous training in driving in the last four-to-five months,” GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral told Herald.
The MLA revealed the cabs will encourage passengers having at least one woman passenger considering safety of the driver. Moreover, the metered taxi – fares decided by the government – will have GPS tracking system, Cabral added.
“In due course of time, we will roll out more taxis on the roads…Women should come forward and take up this opportunity,” the Curchorem legislator said. Goa will be one of the very few states in the country to take up this women’s cab initiative.
The GTDC has invited taxi association to be a part of the system as it launches the project on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and tourism officials.
