Tiruvannamalai will get a car stand for women drivers

Auto rickshaw drivers protested against a separate stand for women drivers at the new bus station in Tiruvannamalai town on Saturday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

After nearly a decade of driving autorickshaws, a group of women drivers got a dedicated rickshaw stand for them at the newly opened modern bus station on Chennai – Tindivanam Road worth ₹34 crore on Saturday.

Transport Department officials said the initiative was a joint effort by various stakeholders, including the State Highways Department, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, RTO, police and revenue department. “The initiative to provide a separate auto rickshaw stand for women drivers was the brainchild of Collector Vandana Garg. She instructed the authorities to take necessary steps,” Tiruvannamalai Corporation Commissioner K. Balasubramanian told The Hindu.

“The dedicated auto rickshaw stand for women drivers is helping us get more customers, especially passengers. We thank the district administration for their support,” said G. Devi, an auto rickshaw driver.

Company officials said about 250 square feet of space under the bridge at the terminus entrance has been earmarked for an auto-rickshaw stand. They can use the open space, which belongs to the State Roads Authority, free of charge.

Company officials said adequate lighting will be provided for the stand. Since the terminus has a police outpost, regular police patrolling will ensure the safety of female autorickshaw drivers at the stand.

RTO officials said women drivers will be given adequate instructions to follow the norms that have been outlined for maintaining a car stand.

Meanwhile, common autorickshaw drivers protested at the terminus against the provision of a separate auto stand for drivers. They argued that such an initiative would affect their livelihood as many commuters, especially senior citizens and women, would prefer to travel in auto-rickshaws driven by female drivers. After the intervention of the officials, they parted peacefully.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 23:55 IST