Bengaluru: India's IT capital, will now have women taxi drivers to cater to women passengers travelling to the Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport).

In a move that is meant to strengthen safety and security for women passengers, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have collaborated in a joint-venture to provide a women-only taxi service.

In its pilot run, a fleet of 10 cabs will be operational round the clock to ferry women passengers from the city to the airport. The service can be availed at a price of Rs 21.50/km during day between 6 AM and 11.59 PM while the night fare would increase to Rs 23.50/km.

Solo female travellers as well as a group of women passengers can avail this service.

The women drivers will be recruited from villages surrounding the airport thus giving them an opportunity to become self-sustainable. They will also be trained in self-defence tactics.

The cabs will be equipped with several safety features, including GPRS tracking and an SOS switch.

At the launch of these pink cab service Kumar Pushkar, the Managing Director of KSTDC said that this move was to fulfill 2 major objectives.

"This concept has been implemented with to provide a safe and secure mode of transport for women travelers from the Airport, while simultaneously creating opportunities for women drivers to be self-employed and empowered"