KKN Gurugram Desk |  In a significant step to enhance women’s safety in public transport, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a new mandatory rule for all cab, auto-rickshaw, and e-rickshaw drivers operating within the state.

According to the directive, all public transport drivers must now clearly display their name and mobile number inside the vehicle. The rule applies to taxis, app-based cabs (Ola, Uber), autos, and e-rickshaws.

“If this rule is not followed, the driver will be denied permission to operate the vehicle,” said a state official.

Why This Rule Was Introduced

This decision follows a recommendation by the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission, which raised concerns about the safety of female passengers, especially in urban areas like Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur.

The Commission had earlier written to Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, urging the government to ensure transparency and traceability in public transport systems. Based on this recommendation, the government has acted swiftly to implement the new safety measure.

Key Points of the New Rule

• Mandatory Display: Every driver must display their full name and active mobile number inside the vehicle, visible to passengers.

• Immediate Enforcement: The rule is effective immediately across all districts of Uttar Pradesh.

• Non-compliance Penalty: Vehicles failing to comply will be prohibited from operating until they meet the requirement.

• Applies to All Public Modes: Includes autos, taxis, Ola/Uber cabs, and e-rickshaws.

Women’s Safety at the Forefront

This rule aims to bring transparency in public transport and allow women to feel more secure while traveling.

“Knowing the identity of the driver creates a psychological safety net and also helps in accountability in case of any untoward incident,” said a senior official from the Women’s Commission.

The government believes this step will deter potential misbehavior and make it easier for passengers to report incidents, if any.

How This Affects Transport Operators

Transport authorities across districts have been instructed to:

• Inform all licensed drivers and fleet operators about the rule.

• Ensure compliance checks are carried out periodically.

• Penalize non-complying vehicles through fines or suspension of permits.

Fleet owners, especially in urban transport aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, are expected to integrate this requirement into their platforms for driver verification.

Public Reaction and Support

The move has been widely welcomed by the public, especially by women commuters and parents of school-going girls who often rely on autos and e-rickshaws for travel.

“This is a much-needed step. I hope it’s strictly implemented, especially in late evening hours when women often feel vulnerable,” said a resident of Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.