‘Sakhi Cab’ Rolls Out in Dehradun — District Administration’s Automated Parking Project Expands with Free EV Shuttle and Women Drivers
Dehradun, October 30:
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the leadership of District Magistrate Savin Bansal, the Dehradun District Administration has added a new chapter to urban mobility with the launch of the ‘Free Sakhi Cab Shuttle Service’ under its Automated Parking Project.
The service, operated by women drivers, offers free pick-and-drop facilities for citizens who park their vehicles at automated parking sites and need to reach busy areas such as Ghantaghar, Paltan Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Subhash Road, and the Secretariat route.
The initiative not only aims to decongest city traffic but also promotes women’s empowerment and sustainable transport through the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
🚘 Fleet Expansion and PPP Operation
Currently, two new Tata Punch EVs have been allotted to the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) for the service. To enhance convenience, six additional EVs will soon be added to the ‘Sakhi Cab’ fleet. The shuttle service will operate on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, and the Request for Proposal (RFP) has already been uploaded by the administration.
🅿️ Three New Automated Parking Facilities
The district administration has constructed three modern automated parking facilities to resolve parking challenges in Dehradun:
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Parade Ground – 111 vehicle capacity
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Tibetan Market – 132 vehicle capacity
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Coronation Hospital Complex – 18 vehicle capacity
Together, the three facilities can accommodate 261 vehicles, and will soon be dedicated to the public by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
🚦 Streamlined Traffic and Enforcement
The ‘Sakhi Cab’ service operates within a 5 km radius of the city center. Meanwhile, the administration and police have intensified crackdowns on unauthorized roadside parking, with a dedicated towing crane already in service for the past month.
🌿 Women Empowerment Through SHG Management
The automated parking near Parade Ground is managed by Krishna Self Help Group from Vikasnagar block, formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). This integration of women’s groups into the project highlights the administration’s commitment to inclusive development and women’s livelihood opportunities.
