Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4: Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police today added 91 more pink autorickshaws, a woman-priority public transport, to the existing fleet of 353.

The police also extended the service to Rajmahal Square and Kalpana Square, apart from the existing 10 places where women can get the service.

At present, 5,000 women ply in 353 such vehicles and the number would reach 6,500 with addition of 91 more autos, the police said. The operators of these vehicles have been provided with special identity cards issued by the police <>after proper verification of their antecedents.

On June 27 last year, the police had launched the service with more than 200 pink autorickshaws. The autorickshaws are not exactly pink in colour but have a retro-reflective pink sticker stuck at the front. These stickers would make these autos easily visible at night. In the first phase, the three-wheelers had started plying from Khandagiri, Baramunda, Vani Vihar, railway station, Master Canteen Square and KIIT Square.

"The service has become very beneficial for passengers, especially women. We will start an awareness campaign to popularise it," said police commissioner R.P. Sharma.

The police have also decided to felicitate 20 pink auto rickshaw drivers every year based on their work and behaviour.

"We want to encourage the autorickshaw operators to behave properly with passengers and also help transport victims of road mishaps to nearby hospitals. So far, we have not received a single complaint against any of the operators of pink autorickshaws," said a police official.

In December last, the police had introduced five kiosks for the pink auto service. The kiosks at Master Canteen Square, Vani Vihar Square, Jayadev Vihar Square, KIIT Square and Baramunda are equipped with telephones. Woman can call up these numbers to get the service.

"More than one year has passed since the service was launched for women in the city. But so far, many women are not even aware of the service. The police should create awareness, especially at educational institutes, to popularise the service," said Meghna Sahu, a college student.