Police eye on autos at Metro stations

To ensure the safety of women travelling home from the Metro, the Delhi Police have started preparing a database of auto-rickshaws and their drivers who carry passengers from stations. Faizan Haider reports.

To ensure the safety of women travelling home from the Metro, the Delhi Police have started preparing a database of auto-rickshaws and their drivers who carry passengers from stations.

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The drive was started after the gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in south Delhi, which raised serious questions on the safety of women in public transport in Delhi.

In less than two months, the Delhi Police verified 7,500 autos and their drivers and challaned 1,200 of them for different
violations.

“This will act as a deterrent and auto drivers picking women passengers from any of the metro stations will be aware that they are under the police radar. During the verification drive, we call traffic police to issue challans to the violators,” said Sanjay Bhatia, DCP (railway).

There are 129 Metro stations in Delhi guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Delhi Police is responsible for the security outside the stations.

“If a woman is looking for a auto-rickshaw, our staff helps her and also check the antecedents of the driver of the auto in which she is travelling.

“We keep a photocopy of their documents and once we have a database ready, we will be able to track those involved in any crime. But the primary aim of the drive is to instill a sense of safety among women. Now, auto drivers would think twice before harassing any women passenger,” the officer added.

“Women rely on Metro the most when it comes to public transport. In the station premises and the train, there are already safety measures in place. But once they exit the station, women tend to feel unsafe, especially at night.

"We have asked the civic bodies to provide proper lighting outside the Metro stations and designated parking space for autos,” the officer said.