File picture of pink autorickshaws in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 26: The lukewarm response to the pink autorickhaws launched on June 27 to ensure safe travel for women has prompted the police to carry out a survey on the service.

The traffic wing of the police department is carrying out the survey.

Traffic police have asked the drivers of the pink autorickshaws to furnish weekly reports on the number of women passengers being ferried by them. They drivers have also been asked to collect complaints and feedbacks from female passengers, who are supposed to get precedence over others in these vehicles.

The police said each of the pink autorickshaws ferry around 35 women passengers every day. At present, as many as 203 of these vehicles plying in the city.

“On an average these autorickshaws ferry 7,000 women on daily basis. In the coming days, we will start a massive drive to make women aware of the service. We have roped in an event management firm for this,” said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Jatindra Panda. He also said that display boards would be installed at six places from where one can hire or share Pink autos.

Pink autorickshaws ply from six locations in the city — Khandagiri, Baramunda, Vani Vihar, railway station, Master Canteen and Museum Square. The police said they had already identified 10 more locations from where a large number of women use autorickshaws, and the service would be also extended to these places.

Though the autorickshaws were introduced to give priority to women, the police had also allowed transportation of male passengers when women passengers were not available so that the autorickshaw owners did not suffer losses.

“While a number of female passengers had suggested that these autorickashaws be converted into an all-women public transport system, we have allowed these vehicles to carry male passengers to ensure that the owners did not incur financial loss,” said a police official.

Despite the poor response, the police have decided to introduce 100 more pink autos by the end of this month. “We are hopeful that the more these vehicles ply on road, the more female passengers would be attracted by the service,” said a police official.

The police have selected drivers after conducting a psychological test and their attitude towards women has also been ascertained. Besides, the police have also verified their criminal antecedents.