Woman auto driver wants government to pitch in with funds to empower women

Hyderabad: Potta Navatha, 30, is now an independent woman and is contributing equally for the welfare of her family, both financially and emotionally. More importantly, she is an active part of the new wave of change by being one of the very few hand-picked women autorickshaw drivers in Hyderabad.

With the number of incidents of rape, assault and molestation on the rise, Ms Navatha said things can change only when women are empowered. “Many women are scared to step out at night. They return home before 8 pm and think ten times before boarding an autorickshaw. Women across the country are achieving so much. Lack of safety should not be the reason for them to give up on things. More initiatives like this will empower women. Today, there are five women autorickshaw drivers and with time, this number should increase and the number of these incidents of crime against women will come down,” she said.

She is also trained in self-defence to deal with any situation.

Ms Navatha started driving the autorickshaw in December last year and said there has been no looking back since then. She lives with her husband in Secunderabad and her two sons are studying in a residential school. “These days, men and women have to earn to meet financial expenses. I was always interested in driving. I saw an advertisement in the newspaper and I wanted to apply. My husband supported me in this. I finish all the household chores in the morning, pack my lunch and leave by 8.30 am and get back home by 8 pm.” After deducting the auto rent and fuel price, she makes about Rs 500 per day.

However, Ms Navatha said she prefers women commuters. “They feel safer and so do I. Sometimes, when I go towards places like Hitec City, many women IT professionals are curious about my story. They have my mobile number and call me when they have to travel to far off places,” she said.

She appealed to the government to provide women autorickshaw drivers with either subsidised loans or give away CNG autorickshaws to encourage them.  

The Telangana Auto Drivers’ Samakhya is asking for the implementation of the GO MS 90, that was issued by the previous government on September, 2012, to permit 20,000 more autorickshaws to ply within the GHMC areas.

Last year, more than 12,000 autorickshaws were given and another 8,000 are pending. “The city autorickshaw unions are requesting the government to provide these autos to women. Allotment of about 8,000  vehicles are still pending. Women autorickshaw drivers should be given preference this time,” said A. Sathi Reddy, general secretary of the Telangana Auto Drivers’ Samakhya.