Regional Transport Authority to install special software to help city women travel safely in autorickshaws all times of the day

Concerned about rising cases of assault and robbery or even plain cheating involving women who travel alone at night by unscrupulous rickshawalas, the Regional Traffic Authority (RTA) has decided to install a special software, named as Pre-paid Auto Point Unit at Pune station.

The software will record and maintain details like the registration number of the rickshaw, the destination and the tariff charged, before the passenger boards the vehicle.

According to RTA official, Baba Shinde, "This is inu00a0 wake of eight cases reported last year, where passengers were assaulted and robbed by rickshaw drivers. One passenger even lost her life. The move is meant to provide great respite to passengers, especially women who travel at night."

"We are planning to launch the initiative on July 1 at the airport,u00a0u00a0 Shivaji Nagar and Swargate.

DCP Manoj Patil told MiD DAY, "The facility will help the police nab the culprit if anything goes wrong. The traffic police will ensure the smooth functioning of the pre-paid booth 24/7."

Members of the Ex-militarymen Association and retired police officials will man the pre-paid booth, where the new software is to be installed.

Not everyone is however as optimistic about the software's usefulness.

Prachi Kulkarni, a lecturer, said, "The software is good but it will only make the rickshaw drivers stay away from the booth.