Women cab drivers of Sikkim get separate stand

SNS, GANGTOK, 30 APRIL: Women taxi drivers to day got their separate taxi stand here in the capital.The stand has been allottedbySikkim Police Traffic for women taxi drivers at Bansial petrol pump, Hungry Jack.

While speaking to Sikkim EXPRESS ASP Traffic Ongmu Bhutia informed that around 7 women taxi drivers have obtained driving license for plying local taxis in Gangtok. Since long they have tried many taxi stands for their turn allotment but were refused by the taxi associations.

Earlier, they had also approached previous IG Law & Order, present ADGP Law & Order and Traffic Police for the allotment. however, due to lack of space "we had to put their demand on hold," informed Bhutia.

She also informed that only one lady driver has got tun allotment in Children Park so far and the rest were just doing pick and drop services. "These women are in this profession to earn their living and support their family. They were not welcomed by the male taxi drivers,They were facing many challenges and were discouraged too. We are a pro-women state so to help them, we decided to allot them a separate taxi stand where two taxis will stand at a time," said ASP Traffic.

Appreciating the women drivers, the ASP Traffic advised them to carry out their profession safely as it is a challenging one and also to take precautions during night time.

They are new in this field and I want to see them doing well in this line," said Bhutia.

On behalf of all the women taxi drivers, Tshering Doma Sherpa and Lhamu Tshering Sherpa expressed their gratitude towards previous IG Law & Order, present ADGP Law & Order, ASP Traffic and Sikkim Traffic Police for allot dug them their separate space and encouraging them to work harder. They also appealed the public to avail their service from Bansilal petrol pump from tomorrow Their route will be Vajra, Swastik, Bojoghari, Helipad and Chandmari.

"We faced many challenges in this field but we did not give up. Our own male drivers did not welcome us but we don't want other upcoming female drivers to face the same scenario. So we want to welcome other unemployed females who want to take up driving as their profession as we feel no job is small,We want to set a good example in die society," said Tshering Doma.