Chennai: For the benefit of women travelling auto rickshaws the government has planned to introduce electronic meters fitted with a 'panic button' in the autos soon, said Minister for Transport, M.R.Vijayabhaskar.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting school buses in Chennai on Monday, the minister said that the government has planned to introduce the panic button in electronic meters for the benefit of commuters, especially women. With the help of the panic button the commuters can inform the authorities about fleecing by auto drivers. In case of any emergency the women commuters can alert the control room by pressing the panic button.
The government will set up the facility soon in the autos. This would ensure safety of women in three-wheelers during their commute. The minister further stated that the government has finalised a tender relating to the purchase of the electronic meters fitted with the panic button.
Answering a query, the minister said Regional Transport Department officials have inspected 31,143 school buses among the total 32,576 buses. The officials have identified defects in 1,009 buses and authorities directed the concerned school managements to operate these buses only after rectifying the defects. All the school buses would be permitted to operate only after completing inspection by the RTO officials, he added.
The minister said that the government has proposed print smart cards for school students to travel free of charge in government buses. Details of the students would be obtained from the schools. Last year, 20.55 lakh received free buses passes from the government. This academic year the government has proposed to issue free passes to 24.20 lakh students. The government has floated a tender for printing the smart cards. For the time being the school students would be allowed travel in government buses free if they travel in their uniforms. Regarding this the government has informed the drivers and conductors, he added.
The government has taken steps to operate 2,000 electric buses and 12,000 (BS-6) environment friendly buses in the state. In the first phase, 500 electric buses will be operated in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, he said. Earlier, the minister took part in annual review meeting in a private school in Adyar. Senior officials attended the meeting.
