1,000 female auto drivers would be added into Namma Yatri

Namma Yatri's Mahila Shakti program to empower women

50 women drivers have already served 11,000 customers

Bengaluru is set to witness the integration of 1,000 female auto drivers into Namma Yatri within the next six months, thanks to a collaborative effort involving Bengaluru City Police, Parihar, and the Dr. B. R Ambedkar Health and Education Foundation.

Namma Yatri, supported by Juspay, has initiated the Mahila Shakti program to empower women from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers as electric auto drivers. Since August 2023, Namma Yatri has been actively engaged in empowering women drivers, with the backing of NGOs like Shishu Mandir.

Magizhan Selvan, Chief Product Officer of Juspay, reportedly expressed pride in the achievements of the 50 women drivers who, collectively, earned Rs. 12 lakh, served 11,000 customers, and covered 55,000 km since August 2023. The ambitious goal is to empower a total of 1,000 women drivers by June 2024.

The Mahila Shakti program offers an extensive one-month training course encompassing practical driving, traffic laws, safety, and vehicle maintenance.

Targeting women aged 25 to 45, the initiative aims to pave the way for higher income, economic independence, and flexible working hours. Following the free training, Namma Yatri facilitates women with electric autos on a daily rental basis and supports low-interest vehicle ownership through financial institutions.

B Dayananda, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, reportedly underscored the significance of this program for Bengaluru, emphasizing its role in empowering women for financial independence, challenging societal norms, enhancing safety, and fostering a diverse mobility ecosystem in the city.