Women Special Buses 'Tejaswini' To Soon Run On Mumbai Roads

Following Indian Railways steps to empower women, the road transport in Mumbai too has decided to roll out women special buses. The Mumbai road transport utility has decided to roll out 37 women special buses, under the name ‘Tejaswini’ which will be running exclusively for women commuters on various routes. The areas that will be particularly benefited by these women special buses are Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Lower Parel, and Malad.

The State Government had announced in the past that it will be introducing 300 Tejaswani Buses for women in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nagpur among other cities.

Different Colour Code For Tejaswini Buses

The buses are being introduced after considering the high number of working women population in Mumbai. According to the Times of India, these buses will be initially running during peak hours. Then based on demands, they'll be operating throughout the day near the commercial hubs. Panel member Sunil Ganacharya said that the buses will be arrive in the next four months. The buses will also be given a different colour code in order to differentiate them from regular buses.

The concerned authorities are also planning to have women conductors in these buses in the near future. MSRTC buses already have women conductors for long route buses. The authorities also support the view of appointing women bus drivers for these buses, though the recruitment process for the same is currently in a freeze right now. Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) had already inducted a few women conductors, who were attached to the Wadala Bus depot.

The authorities also support the view of appointing women bus drivers for these buses, though the recruitment process for the same is currently in a freeze right now.

Rs 11 Crore In The State Budget For Tejaswini Buses

The State Government had announced in the past that it will be introducing 300 Tejaswani buses for women in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nagpur among other cities. This Tuesday, BEST passed a proposal to procure 37 mini non-AC diesel buses for the Tejaswini project. Though a few members did question the use of diesel buses instead of the electric or the CNG ones. An official said that the buses for this project are being bought by a Rs 11 crore state grant. Also, this is the first time in recent months that BEST will be buying its own buses.

“We have decided to procure all new buses on wet lease. But we have a grant of Rs 11 crore which was announced in the state budget and given exclusively for these special buses. The fund is now being utilised.” the official said.

This might be a relief for women commuters, who turn out to be the highest in number when it comes to train commuters in Mumbai. Women women can now opt for the Tejaswini buses. Mumbai has 41% of women travellers commuting by train per day, and this is higher than the national average of 35% and that of the cities like Bengaluru with 39 percent and Delhi with 37 percent. A lot has been done and it’s a work in progress when it comes to Mumbai local transport trying to empower women. From launching the talkback facility to ensuring women's safety, to changing the logo in the women's compartment to depict the modern woman, Mumbai Transport authorities are doing an applaudable job in bringing women to the forefront.

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