100 more added to ‘Pink Auto’ fleet in Odisha capital

Reported by Santosh Jagdev
Bhubaneswar, Aug 31:

Commissionerate Police today flagged off 100 more women friendly Pink Auto-rickshaws for the convenience of the fairer sex in the Odisha capital.

203 Pink Autos had been launched in the city  in the first phase on June 27.

Odisha’s DGP Sanjeev Marik, along with other senior police officials, flagged off the women only auto service at the Commissionerate headquarters here.

“Our aim is to ensure the safety and security of women, besides providing them better facilities. The Pink Auto-rickshaw service would certainly help women passengers to move in the city at ease,” said DGP Marik.

Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma said the additional Pink auto-rickshaws were included to meet the demand of women passengers.

“There was a demand for more Pink auto-rickshaws for women. With 100 more added to the fleet, the total number of such auto-rickshaws in the city now is 303. We hope it would cater to the demand for the service,” said Sharma, adding that four stands have been developed for the 100 new auto-rickshaws in the city.

Until now, the Pink Auto service was available in six locations in the city including Bhubaneswar Station, Khandagiri Square, Baramunda bus depot, Raj Mahal Square and KIIT Square. From today, four more locations have been added to the list: Kalpana Square, Jaydev Vihar, Acharya Vihar and Bhawani Mall.

Along with the flag off ceremony, a rally was conducted in association with some private partners to make the women of the city aware of the project.