Bengaluru-based ride-hailing platform Rapido, in its bid to ensure safety of its customers, will equip over 1,000 auto rickshaws in the Delhi-NCR region with seat belts. Additionally, the company will also install rain curtains on both sides of the autos to help navigate amid adverse weather conditions.
The auto rickshaws playing in the areas of South Delhi (Malviya Nagar, Saket, Sarojini Nagar), Noida (Sector 6 & Kaushambi Metro), Greater Noida (Knowledge Park) and Gurugram (Sector 30) have already been equipped with seatbelts and rain curtains. On the other hand, the company will expand the areas covered under this initiative until its target of 1,000 autos is achieved.
This is a crucial and welcomed initiative from Rapido as auto rickshaws in India, but also it is a dangerous mode of transport, lacking adequate safety measures. Rapido first started this initiative in Bengaluru, which was followed by Hyderabad and Delhi.
The installation of passenger seat belts will help to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in auto rickshaw accidents. It is also expected to send a message to other ride-hailing platforms and auto rickshaw drivers that safety is a priority.
In addition to installing passenger seat belts, Rapido said that it is also working on other safety initiatives such as educating its captains on CPR and other basic life support training.
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