New Delhi, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : The National Commission for Women (NCW) has introduced new guidelines aimed at enhancing the safety of women who use app-based cab services. Released on October 5, these guidelines include several key measures such as the implementation of physical panic buttons, real-time alerts for route deviations, monitoring stops at suspicious locations, and the establishment of 24/7 command and control centers by service aggregators.
Vijaya Rahatkar, the chairperson of the NCW, stated, “The purpose of these guidelines is to strengthen existing safety and accountability measures during booking, travel, and upon completion of rides to ensure women’s safety in public spaces.”
The commission has urged all states and union territories to take appropriate steps to implement these guidelines. Among the recommendations, the guidelines advocate for a complaint resolution system within a specified timeframe, verification of drivers and vehicles, and the option for passengers to cancel rides without penalty if discrepancies arise between the driver or vehicle information displayed on the app and reality.
Regular reviews of safety protocols and standard operating procedures by aggregators are also emphasized. The guidelines call for complaints to be escalated to law enforcement agencies and for periodic reporting on compliance with safety regulations.
It is specified that any unauthorized changes to the driver or vehicle must be properly marked within the app and treated as a safety concern. This aligns with the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines of 2025, which require an in-app system for verifying the identity of drivers and mandate displaying clear, high-resolution images of drivers.
The NCW guidelines highlight the importance of creating a verified pool of female drivers. Aggregators are encouraged to provide options for women traveling alone to request female drivers based on availability.
To enhance safety during late-night rides, the guidelines suggest that aggregators adopt better verification and monitoring systems for drivers working during these hours.
Additional measures include mandatory verification of the driver’s photo at the start of the trip, protocols to address intoxicated drivers, the option for passengers to auto-share ride information with trusted contacts, improved monitoring from command and control centers, and a secure drop-off option at the end of rides.
Furthermore, the guidelines stress the need for ongoing safety and gender sensitization training for drivers, as well as regular background checks, police verification, and criminal record checks before and after hiring.
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