Jyothi yatra to highlight transport woes

Kochi: On the anniversary of the tragic Delhi rape, a group of activists is organising a bus ride to highlight inadequate transport system in a major city like Kochi in the night that could often land the fairer sex in trouble.

Titled ‘Jyothi yatra’, the passengers of the bus will include the likes of Hibi Eden MLA, Deputy Mayor B Bhadra and social activist M R Jayageetha among others.

“The ride on Monday will be exactly 84 minutes, the period that the unfortunate Delhi rape victim was put to suffer exact an year ago. The girl was forced to board the contract carriage driven by the accused as she failed to get any public transport or even an autorickshaw to return to home late evening,” said Sijin B T, Chief Volunteer of the ‘synergians’ which is organising the ride said.

The ride will offer a chance to the councillors to assess for themselves the “inadequate public transport” in the city after darkness falls.

“It’s very difficult to get a bus to areas like Aroor after 8 pm. And apart from the pre-paid autorickshaw counters like the railway station and Vytilla Hub, often we don’t get autos. If we are lucky to find one, they will charge double rates even for short distance,” said Sherly Sebastian, who works in an organization in Kaloor, said.

However, Ernakulam MLA Hibi Eden said on the safety front, the city is far ahead. “The Women’s commission is all set to announce the city as among the safest one. We’re organising the ride to pay tribute to the Delhi victim.”