The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a Safe Mobility Programme aimed at expanding safe and dignified transport options for girls and women while creating livelihoods for members of Self-Help Groups. The scheme will train female e-rickshaw pilots across the state to provide secure travel to schools, workplaces and other essential destinations. The initiative is presented as one of its kind in the state and is intended to strengthen women’s safety and economic independence.

Initially about 1,000 e-rickshaws are being provided to women belonging to Self-Help Groups. The service has been rolled out in the districts of Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kaushambi and Jhansi and will be introduced shortly in further districts including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sonbhadra, Deoria, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur. Officials describe the service as particularly suited to rural areas where female drivers can offer convenient and secure mobility for local residents.

The programme is being implemented under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission with technical assistance from Development Alternatives and has produced early measurable outcomes. Across the five districts, 119 women have been enabled as entrepreneurs through provision of e-rickshaws, 629 women have received operational training and 244 women have been issued driving licences. The average annual income of participating women has exceeded Rs 0.3 million (mn), signalling an emerging source of household revenue.

Beyond transportation, the scheme is expected to improve girls’ access to education, ease daily commutes for working women and generate fresh employment opportunities in villages. Women beneficiaries are reported to be using the service to build more stable livelihoods and to set new benchmarks in self-reliance within their communities. Authorities indicate that scaling the model could extend similar benefits to other parts of the state.