UP Government Distributes Over 1,000 E-Rickshaws to Women in Five Districts

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative titled the ‘Safe Mobility Program,’ aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and creating employment opportunities for female members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The scheme focuses on training women as e-rickshaw drivers to provide safe, accessible, and dignified transportation for girls and women traveling to schools, workplaces, and other essential destinations.

Initially, over 1,000 e-rickshaws are being distributed to women across five districts—Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kaushambi, and Jhansi. The government has announced plans to expand the program to additional districts, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sonbhadra, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Sitapur. The initiative seeks to address concerns over women’s safety while improving mobility in both urban and rural areas.

The program is being implemented under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission with technical support from the non-profit organisation ‘Development Alternatives.’ Early results have been promising: 119 women have become entrepreneurs through the provision of e-rickshaws, 629 have received operational training, and 244 women have obtained driving licences. These steps are designed to equip participants with the skills and credentials needed for sustainable livelihoods.

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Beyond providing transportation, the initiative is significantly impacting the economic independence of women. Participants are not only gaining a source of income but also contributing to their families’ financial stability. Reports indicate that the average annual income of women involved in the scheme has exceeded Rs 3 lakh, underscoring the program’s potential as a model for scalable women-led entrepreneurship.

The Safe Mobility Program is also expected to improve social outcomes. By offering female-driven e-rickshaw services, the scheme aims to make commutes safer for women and girls, particularly in rural areas. It is poised to enhance access to education for school-going girls and reduce barriers for women seeking employment in nearby towns and cities.

Officials have emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote self-reliance among women in Uttar Pradesh. By combining safety, mobility, and economic empowerment, the program is emerging as a benchmark for innovative state-led interventions that directly address both social and economic challenges faced by women in India.

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