One of the long-standing demands of Technopark employees, a prepaid autorickshaw counter catering to their needs round the clock, may finally come to fruition.
The traffic advisory committee of the city Corporation is considering various aspects of the suggestion, and the counter is likely to be opened before the end of the year.
The employees’ demand converged into a strong voice last December following the protests against the Delhi rape incident. The protests led by Prathidhwani, a socio-cultural collective of the employees here, led to serious discussions about the problems faced by those working here.
A few minor incidents of attacks on women outside the campus further fuelled this demand.
“The lack of enough buses or autorickshaws has been a constant complaint of a section of employees that does not have their own transport options. Though there is an auto stand right opposite the gate, the drivers are available only during the fixed office times. Also, none of the autos run on metre charges and charge exorbitant amounts,” says Sujy, an employee of US Technologies who stays near Kaniyapuram.
The employees started a signature campaign to voice their demand.
“The signature campaign was successful with close to 4,000 employees signing the petition. We met the Corporation Mayor, MP, MLA, and police officials with the petition. The response from all the quarters has been positive. We are also working on a software for the prepaid counter,” says Rajeev Krishnan, one of the leaders of Prathidhwani’s campaign.
The plan is for a dedicated counter in front of the park that is open round the clock. A police officer will be posted to oversee the counter.
Since most of the buildings are located at some distance from the gate, female employees find it unsafe to walk all the way at night. The employees have suggested the implementation of a pass system for the autos that are part of the counter. A call system from each of the buildings to the main gate so that the vehicles can be dispatched to the employee’s location is being considered. Display of the driver’s name and address is also proposed.
M. Vasudevan, Senior Business Development Manager of Technopark, told The Hindu that a decision in this regard was expected in two weeks.
“We have already identified the land for the counter, and it will be done once all the clearances from the Corporation’s side are done,” he said.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/prepaid-auto-counter-at-technopark-soon/article5309268.ece
“The lack of enough buses or autorickshaws has been a constant complaint of a section of employees that does not have their own transport options. Though there is an auto stand right opposite the gate, the drivers are available only during the fixed office times. Also, none of the autos run on metre charges and charge exorbitant amounts,” says Sujy, an employee of US Technologies who stays near Kaniyapuram.
The employees started a signature campaign to voice their demand.
“The signature campaign was successful with close to 4,000 employees signing the petition. We met the Corporation Mayor, MP, MLA, and police officials with the petition. The response from all the quarters has been positive. We are also working on a software for the prepaid counter,” says Rajeev Krishnan, one of the leaders of Prathidhwani’s campaign.
The plan is for a dedicated counter in front of the park that is open round the clock. A police officer will be posted to oversee the counter.
Since most of the buildings are located at some distance from the gate, female employees find it unsafe to walk all the way at night. The employees have suggested the implementation of a pass system for the autos that are part of the counter. A call system from each of the buildings to the main gate so that the vehicles can be dispatched to the employee’s location is being considered. Display of the driver’s name and address is also proposed.
M. Vasudevan, Senior Business Development Manager of Technopark, told The Hindu that a decision in this regard was expected in two weeks.
“We have already identified the land for the counter, and it will be done once all the clearances from the Corporation’s side are done,” he said.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/prepaid-auto-counter-at-technopark-soon/article5309268.ece