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Commuters would soon be able to enjoy a ride in autos driven by women drivers.

With the Nitish Kumar government harping on women empowerment and the deputy chief minister announcing in the budget a cent per cent tax exemption on any commercial vehicle purchased and registered in the name of women holding valid driving licences, the state machinery is encouraging them to eke a living through driving.

An official of the transport department told The Telegraph on Monday: “In assistance with the autorickshaw associations and the district administration, our department is working towards creating a lucrative system to attract women to the driver’s seat. In the first stage, the department wants to encourage women autorickshaw drivers in co-operation with associations and the district administration.”

Elaborating on the same, Rajkumar Jha, the general secretary of Bihar State Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Association and Patna District Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Association, said they had chalked out an initial plan for the same.

“By next week, the association will publish advertisements inviting applications from interested candidates above 18 years of age. The association would provide them free training on how to drive autorickshaws.

“Once the training is over, each of the women would be given a special driving licence with the help of the transport commissioner and would be deputed to drive pre-paid or reserved autorickshaws only. The administration would ensure their safety regarding which a plan has been discussed with the authorities. We expect that by May 1, there would be some women autorickshaw drivers,” Jha said.

During the budget speech, Sushil Kumar Modi had said the only condition to get the tax benefits was women must own or drive the commercial vehicle. “It aims to enhance women empowerment. Bihar is probably the first state to have done it,” Modi had said.

Jha said the recently launched pre-paid auto system at Patna Junction had proved a success. “Eleven pre-paid stands have been earmarked for 1,000 autos in areas like Gandhi Maidan, airport, Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib in Patna City and Karbighaiya near Patna Junction among others. Women drivers would be deputed in these areas. The association, the transport department and the district administration are working on the details,” Jha said.