Court asks DTC to start women special services all across city
Court asks DTC to start women special services all across city
Delhi's eve teasers are unhappy. They may soon lose their happy hunting grounds, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses.
If the Delhi High Court has its way, the city may get special buses reserved for the fairer sex.
Taking cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that drew attention to the large number of women molested in public buses, the Delhi High Court has ordered the DTC to look for an alternative arrangement for women travelers across the city. The court, on Wednesday, sought a reply from both the state and Central governments and DTC by November 11.
"DTC buses have become a nightmare for women. Eve teasing and molestations have become a norm. Women are scared of travelling on these buses, especially at night," said advocate Ravi Chandra Prakash, who filed the petition in the court.
Prakash said he was inspired by his personal experience to file the PIL. "During the last strike by autorickshaw drivers, I frequently travelled on public as well as private buses. I was shocked to see the state of affairs. It seems every girl who takes these buses is molested. Something must be done to stop this horror," Prakash said, while talking to MiD DAY.
The 29-year-old advocate resides at Patparganj in east Delhi and used to travel to the Supreme Court, near ITO, everyday.
"I travelled on almost all the major routes and everywhere it's the same story. Our sisters and daughters are not safe in this city. They are especially vulnerable in buses," he said.
Though DTC plies women special services on some selected routes, the PIL has demanded the facility be extended to all the 773 bus routes in the city.
Comments Megha chawla
Media professional'A separate bus service for women is a wonderful idea. DTC covers much more area than any other mode of public transport and if this service is launched, it will be a boon for ladies who work till late evening and are worried about reaching home safe.'
Parul Mathur
Education counselor
'It will be a safe transportation option for women in an unsafe city like Delhi. It will save many girls from the harassment they face while travelling on DTC buses.'
Niharika Gogia
Senior technical writer
'More women will shift to travelling by bus.'
