Women cab drivers in Kullu-Manali soon

SHIMLA: Tourists visiting the picturesque Kullu-Manali may soon find women cab drivers taking them around the beautiful locations.

Inspired by women taxi drivers in Mumbai, Central Welfare Board has mooted the idea to train women in driving taxis in Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh Welfare Board Chairperson Prem Lata Thakur said on Wednesday.

The plan was discussed during a function organised by the Central Welfare Board at Kullu recently. The scheme would be run through women Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO).

"Interested NGOs can apply to the State Welfare Board which would recommend it to the Central Board for funding," Thakur said.

As per the project, the women in the age group of 18-35 opting for a career in driving would be given training for six months. There should be a minimum 25 women in the group for running the project, she added.

"If the scheme succeeds in Kullu-Manali, the government would start similar schemes in Shimla, Dharamsala, Mandi, Chamba and other tourist places of the hill state," said the chairperson.