Improvement in earnings is always considered a blessing, as it helps a lot in managing daily life. This has turned true for people like Parveen Nisha in Chennai. They are now surging ahead with confidence as enhanced earning prospects have improved.

All this has been possible thanks to the Pink Auto scheme in Tamil Nadu. The Voices ventured ahead to know more in this regard. Earnings from daily labour work were not enough, but now Parveen Nisha earns Rs 2000 per day, which has become a game-changer for her.

She is now ferrying passengers in an auto obtained under the Pink Auto scheme that was launched in Tamil Nadu on 8 March 2025. The scheme aims to empower women by providing them with coloured autos for self-employment and to ensure safety for women passengers.

These women once struggled for employment and recognition, but now there is a ray of hope for these women in Chennai, thanks to the Pink Auto initiative in Tamil Nadu. It is a scheme under which women avail themselves of autos and ride them for earnings.

The Pink Auto Initiative in Tamil Nadu has opened a new path to empowerment for women who once struggled for self-employment and social status. This initiative empowers women to achieve financial independence, transforming themselves into confident entrepreneurs who contribute to their families’ well-being, support their children’s education and live with dignity.

Parveen Nisha has taken a step further to ensure passenger comfort in her auto. ‘ I have installed a light, a fan and a TV inside her pink auto to ensure comfort for the passengers. She is not alone. The Voices spoke to a few more Pink Auto beneficiaries. 

Joining others

Mohana is another beneficiary who believes the scheme’s benefits must reach many others in need. She helped other women and guided them through the application process, and today they stand together as a strong, supportive group. ‘This initiative has helped women feel independent and respected in society,’ she said.

Supporting education

The story of Jayalakshmi, a mother of three children, is also worth inspiring. The scheme has helped her build an income to support her children’s education. Through the pink auto scheme, I built an income that helps fund her children’s education, feeds them three meals a day, and allows them to grow up independently. She proudly shares that she is the first woman auto driver in the Cuddalore district.

Challenges

There are challenges, too, when one is determined to embark on a journey towards accomplishment, said Lily Rani. A big challenge is riding at night; safety is a big concern. But determination is what keeps her moving ahead. She, too, is happy about the initiative. ‘It has ensured continuity in her children’s education and provided her with financial stability.

GPS connection

Pink Autos are GPS-enabled, so they can be easily tracked and connected to the police for help during emergencies.

Confidence

Women drivers share that this initiative has built their confidence in handling a vehicle and interacting
with customers.

Eligibility for the scheme

To be eligible to apply for an auto under the Pink Auto scheme in Chennai, women must be between 20 and 45 years of age. They must be natives of Chennai and hold a valid driving licence to operate an autorickshaw. The scheme places special priority on widows and ensures support for those who need debt-free living the most.

As part of the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive a subsidy of 1 lakh to help them purchase an auto rickshaw, enabling them to become self-independent and build a stable source of income.

Movement gaining momentum

As more women join the scheme, the pink auto is reshaping the history of women’s mobility and entrepreneurship in Chennai. It stands as proof that when women receive the right support, they change their own lives and also uplift their entire communities.

Copyeditor: S Vishnu Sharmaa