Chief Minister of Karnataka H.D. Kumaraswamy recently flagged off the “Pink Sarathi” fleet of vehicles. These Mahindra Bolero vehicles have been ordered under Nirbhaya scheme by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
What Is Nirbhaya Scheme?
The committee of officers had put forth a project under the Nirbhaya Fund for the IT city of India. The project aimed at getting financial aid from the Nirbhaya Fund of the Center for improving surveillance for women’s safety at public places in Bengaluru. The proposal also included a request for financial aid to establish outposts for women police and also form safety islands at risky locations.
BMTC to launch 'Pink Sarathi service' for safety of women from today https://t.co/ptDPQrVYL0 #news #headlines pic.twitter.com/moQRCmWRky
— News Karnataka (@Newskarnataka) June 6, 2019
According to reports, the committee cleared the request under “safe city proposals” for the Garden City. Other features that were also a part of the proposal and cleared by the high-powered committee officials include NGO volunteers placement at the police stations’ helpdesk for women as well as establishing critical care response units at the leading hospitals. The state government will also issue a four-digit helpline number under this scheme which can be used by passengers to register a complaint.
The Women and Child Development Ministry in its statement said, “It also includes the introduction of Rani Channamma teams of women to sensitize the public.”
Police personnel stand next to the newly launched pink Sarathi vehicles for women safety by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation at Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru, pic.twitter.com/XXoy00x8Q8
— Mukul Adhikary (@MukulAdhikary5) June 6, 2019
Launch Of Pink Sarathi Vehicles Part Of Union Govt. Scheme
The BMTC received Rs. 56.07 crore from the Central government as a part of this scheme and has used it to carry out various measures that can be crucial for the safety of women passengers. The launch of Pink Sarathi vehicles is a part of this scheme.
With this launch BMTC now owns 25 Pink Sarathi vehicles that are fitted with public announcement systems and GPS. These vehicles will be specially deployed for attending the grievances of women passengers who commute by city buses.
Pink Sarathi vehicles launched by @BMTC_BENGALURU on Thursday. These vehicles will attend to grievances of women in city buses.
Photo by @sudhakar_H1 pic.twitter.com/AiBNacZU9X— Revathi Rajeevan (@RevathiRajeevan) June 7, 2019
Inaugurated 25 Pink Sarathi Vehicles for the safety of women passengers under the Nirbhaya project & BMTC smart card based students pass along with Chief Minister Sri @hd_kumaraswamy, Minster for Transport @dcthammanna at Vidhana Soudha today pic.twitter.com/vbO5bbRVpd
— N A Haris (@mlanaharis) June 6, 2019
The CM of Karnataka also introduced the bus pass scheme for students with this launch. The scheme is for the current academic year and includes giving smart cards to student passengers. Last year the BMTC issued 3.5 lakh passes for students.
