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Drunk? Get a free ride back home!
There is good news for tipplers. People who consume alcohol at pubs and hotels can from now onwards look forward for a free chauffer-driven trip back home. In what can be termed as an innovative initiative Zero DUI (Driving Under the influence), several firms have joined hands with the State government to implement this programme.
​Hyderabad: There is good news for tipplers. People who consume alcohol at pubs and hotels can from now onwards look forward for a free chauffer-driven trip back home. In what can be termed as an innovative initiative Zero DUI (Driving Under the influence), several firms have joined hands with the State government to implement this programme.
In a move to achieve Zero DUI in Hyderabad, the State government on Saturday launched ‘Mission Smart Ride’ (MSR), considered as the first smart initiative by a State in the whole nation. The MSR is combined with services, intelligent applications and integrated tools that will promote responsible drinking habits and help minimizing the number of people driving back home after drinking.
Total eight companies collaborated for the initiative and signed an MoU with the MSR, based on the findings and data available. The MoU has 13 commandments and in future the MSR team will submit an action plan to the State government to introduce an Act so that drink driving fatalities can be close to zero.
Founder and CEO of MSR, B Nanda Sandilya, explained the MOU in detail and encouraged the State government in accepting the proposal of the initiative.
The MSR’s most crucial partner Uber is continuously working for the initiative. General Manager of Uber in AP and Telangana Deepak Reddy said, “We are providing free rides to the first time Uber users at hundreds of bars and restaurants and now towards Zero DUI policy, we wish to enhance our impact by raising awareness through increased marketing efforts and making Hyderabad a safer city.”
During the launch of the MSR, Excise Commissioner R Chandravadan elaborated the working of Excise department towards Zero DUI in Hyderabad and said, “The department is directly communicating with all app-based cab providers for the initiative. We have also banned ‘happy hours’ in whole Telangana to reduce the consumption of alcohol,” he added.
Rajya Sabha MP K Keshava Rao praised the concept of the MSR and stressed on creating awareness about the initiative.
