MGL, ICICI Lombard to cover city cab drivers

Mahanagar Gas (MGL) and ICICI Lombard have joined hands to offfer free insurance cover to drivers of CNG-run taxis and auto rickshaws in Mumbai. Bajaj Allianz is also a co-insurer in the project.

With this, the city, which witnesses 35 accidents a day, will for the first time come under a mega insurance cover.

"The initiative to provide accident insurance to the drivers is a unique experiment in corporate social responsibility. CNG use will reduce pollution. It removes 310 tonne harmful pollutants each year as it reduces consumption of 3 lakh litre of petrol and 65,000 litre of diesel every day," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the inauguration of Mahasuraksha Yojana, here.

The tenure of the policy is one year. It assures coverage up to Rs 1 lakh for the loss of life and proportionate amount for disability. Cab driver badge issued by road transport office is necessary for getting the insurance coverage.

The policy will also cover the drivers who convert their vehicle in future. The cost incurred by MGL for the insurance is estimated to be Rs 15 per person and Rs 30 lakh for the group.

The prime minister has called upon the Maharashtra government to speed up work on the Mumbai Metro. "The city could not continue to depend on a public transport that it has inherited from the distant past. The Centre is committed to see that Mumbai gets world-class public transport system," he added.