Overview
- The National Commission for Women published the guidelines on Monday to expand the 2025 Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines by prescribing specific tech and operational measures for app-based cabs, autos and bike taxis.
- Key technical steps include physical SOS/panic buttons, real-time alerts for route deviations, monitoring of prolonged or suspicious stops, driver photo verification at trip start and automatic sharing of ride details with trusted contacts.
- The NCW requires aggregators to run 24×7 command-and-control centres, set up time-bound grievance redressal with police escalation, allow penalty-free cancellations for driver or vehicle mismatches, and keep secure journey records for investigations.
- The guidance demands criminal-antecedent checks, police verification and periodic rechecks of drivers, gender-sensitivity training, and building a verified pool of women drivers with an option to request a woman driver where feasible.
- Adoption now rests with state and union territory transport departments, RTOs, police and mobility firms who must designate nodal officers, report compliance and resolve operational challenges such as tech rollouts, driver shortages and emergency response delays.