Lok Sabha Question No. 3087 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Women Participation in Transport and Logistics Sector
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3087 ANSWERED ON 18 th  DECEMBER, 2025

WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SECTOR

3087. SHRI SHASHANK MANI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government is taking steps to enhance women's participation and employment opportunities in the transport and logistics  sector,  in  view  of  the  sector's  rapid  expansion  and potential for inclusive growth;
2. (b)  if  so,  the  major  initiatives  undertaken  by  the  Government to encourage  women's  training,  skilling  and  entrepreneurship  in areas  such  as  electric  mobility,  logistics  parks  and  transport management;
3. (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  strengthen  genderresponsive  policies,  workplace  safety  measures  and  awareness programmes  to  promote  greater  inclusion  of  women  in  this sector, if so, the details thereof; and
4. (d)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  collaborating  with State Governments, industry bodies and civil society organisations to ensure sustained progress in women's participation across various branches of transport and logistics?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  to  (d)     The  Government  has  taken  the  following  steps  to enhance  women's  participation  and  employment  in  the  transport and  logistics  sector  through  skill  development,  entrepreneurship promotion, workplace safety measures and coordinated efforts with stakeholders :
1.       As  per  the  scheme  guidelines  for  setting  up  of  Institutes  of Driving  Training  &  Research  (IDTRs),  Regional  Driving  Training Centres (RDTCs) and Driving Training Centres (DTCs),  Government will give preference to those agencies who submit the proposal for setting up of RDTC for women only. In such centres, training will be imparted by lady instructors and trainee will be women only.
2.       Under  the  Motor  Vehicle  Aggregator  Guidelines,  2025  ,  as amended on 15.12.2025, a provision has been introduced enabling female passengers to opt for female drivers on aggregator applications,  thereby  supporting  enhanced  participation  of  women in the sector.
3.      In the Chief Secretaries' Conference held in January, 2023 at New Delhi, all States/UTs were requested to make sincere efforts to increase the number of women bus conductors and drivers in State Transport  Undertaking  buses,  as  well  as  in  taxis,  including  appbased cabs.
4.      In addition, the Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways  has  taken  following  steps  to  address  women  safety concerns thereby contributing to safer commuting option for women :
- i) Notification G.S.R. 1095(E) dated 28 th November 2016, amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 mandated the installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) and one or  more  Emergency  Buttons  in  all  public  service  vehicles  except two wheelers, E-rickshaw and three wheelers.
- ii)      Approved a scheme (on 15 th  January, 2020) for implementation of  'Development,  Customization,  Deployment  and  Management  of State-wise  vehicle  tracking  platform  for  Safety  &  Enforcement  as per AIS 140 Specifications in States / UTs under Nirbhaya Framework' at a total estimated cost of Rs. 463.90 crore.

The  proposed  system  aims  to  enhance  the  safety  of  women and girl children by establishing Monitoring Centers across States/UTs  to  track  Public  Service  Vehicles  fitted  with  location tracking devices and emergency  buttons, monitor alerts, and coordinate  with  the  State  Emergency  Response  Support  System (SERSS).  Proposals  have  been  received  from  all  36  States/UTs,  of which 18 have so far commissioned these centres.

- iii)     The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025 provided for a comprehensive set of safety measures to protect women passengers,  including  compulsory  gender-sensitivity  training  for drivers, deployment of AIS-140 compliant vehicle location tracking systems with panic buttons linked to aggregator and State control rooms, round-the-clock monitoring through dedicated control rooms and call centres, prohibition of child-lock misuse, and strict compliance  with  passenger  safety  laws,  supported  by  app-based features such as live location sharing, driver identification, multilingual  support,  zero-tolerance  for  substance  abuse,  cybersecurity  safeguards  and  emergency  alert  mechanisms  to  enable real-time assistance and grievance redressal.

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