By NewsGram Staff-Writer

Delhi government taking cognizance over the PILs informed Delhi High Court about enacting a new radio taxi scheme for the operation of taxis in the capital in the next 10 days. The PILs filed in the court were alleging violation of the Supreme Court directive on running radio taxis in the country.

The AAP government on Tuesday informed the court that the new scheme will make it mandatory for taxi operators to install a panic button and equip the cabs with GPS.

In its reply directed to Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath, the government insisted on safety and better comfort of women and other passengers. They said that the newly modified scheme will also encourage last mile connectivity in minimal fare. The proposal will bound taxi operators to setup a call centre for looking into public grievances.

Additional standing counsel Naushad Ahmed Khan representing the government in the court said that the new norms will make the creation of a driver database system necessary, which will include all the information about the driver and his vehicle. The same would be shared with the passengers on demand from the call centre.

The scheme will also include strict norms on the operation of diesel taxis and on complying eco-safety rules. It would also be applicable to app-based taxi operators Uber, Ola, and Taxi for Sure.