Maharashtra: For the First Time, Tribal Women to Drive MSTRC Buses, 163 Candidates to Get Training for Driving Heavy Vehicles

Pune, August 24: The Maharashtra government on Friday selected tribal women for driving the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSTRC) buses. This is a first of its-kind initiative in the country. As many as 163 women have been selected for the pilot project. The candidates will undergo training for driving heavy vehicles and will later be inducted as drivers in the state-run bus service. According to a tweet by ANI, Former President Pratibha Patil inaugurated the corporation's initiative in Pune to train and employ women as bus drivers. MSRTC Recruitment 2019: 900 Women Apply For the Post of Driver-Conductor in Maharashtra.

The Former President suggested that the MSTRC should not send the women drivers far away from their homes keeping in view their safety. During the inauguration, Patil also asked the government to ensure that the drivers are provided with a safe place during their night stay in case they have to stay outside. "Administration should not send these women away from their homes. If they are to halt somewhere at night, they should be provided with a safe place to stay. These things should be taken care," she said.

Here's the tweet:

The women looked happy with the government's decision to employ them as a driver, a job considered to be a taboo for a woman. State Transport Minister Divakar Ravte, while speaking at the event said that the government will focus on the security and safety of women drivers. "This is the first such initiative in the country. We have made arrangements to ensure the safety and security of the women," Ravte said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2019 10:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).