How Indian Cities Are Trying To Turn Safer For Women

“Women feel unsafe all the time. I have travelled to many cities in India and there have been instances that give you goosebumps. You never know when you land up at the wrong place at the wrong time. As Delhi is the national capital, instances of assaults come to light more often, get more coverage. However, it is not to say all other cities are safe,” says Sakshi Vasudeva, 28, a resident of Pune.  “I must add that of all the cities I have been to, I feel more at home in Pune,” she adds.

Japan's Tokyo, on the other hand, was seen as the safest city for women in terms of sexual violence in a survey conducted in 19 different megacities.

Winds of change

While efforts are being made across the big cities of India to increase women's safety, it may take a while before desired results are achieved. Let us look at what measures cities are taking to make women residents feel safer.

* Twenty per cent per cent of parking space in information technology capital Bengaluru will now be reserved for women, driving four-wheelers. This is an effort undertaken by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and as a pilot initiative. The scheme is already operational at Brigade Road's the Brigade Shops and Establishment Association (BSEA), a commercial set up. There are total of 85 parking slots available for four-wheelers at the establishment and 10 have been marked for cars driven by women. The understanding is that women would now be able to park closer to their destination. This would help bring down the crime rates against women, city Mayor Sampath Raj told media.

*Pink autos would now be at your beck and call in Ranchi, Jharkhand, thanks to an app-based service for passengers by TYGR. At affordable rates, these pink autos would be provided between 9 am and 9 pm. Let us also recall that Ranchi was one of the first cities to have introduced the pink auto concept after the Nirbhaya gangrape case shocked everyone countrywide.

*Pink autos in Gujarat's Surat will now have women drivers. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has trained women drivers to get loans from banks to procure their own autorickshaws to earn a living. Of a batch of 70 women, 15 drivers, who are beginning work at present are expected to earn a minimum amount of Rs 18,000 per month.

*Noida, too, saw pink autos in 2016 after the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department gave an approval for the same. Pink autos can be hired from Metro stations at Sector 15, 16, 18, Botanical Garden and at Wave City Centre. They are also available at Sector 37, Sector 125 near Amity University, Sector 12-22 and at Sector 82. In Greater Noida, commuters can find these autos at Knowledge Park, Jagat Farm and at Surajpur.

*Rohtak, Ghaziabad and Bhubaneshwar also have pink autos operational but with varying degrees of success.

*While Maharashtra is planning to launch women-specific autos, it has yet to decide the colour. The state is of the view that the pink colour makes women-specific autos stands out and thus vulnerable.

*The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is also considering fully air-conditioned pink buses for women. These will have women drivers and conductors and would be equipped with panic buttons and GPS systems. Any emergency would be controlled and monitored by the control room. Funds to the tune of Rs 83 crore have been given by the Central government under its Nirbhaya Fund for 50 such buses. Come December and these will start operations. However, only four buses have been earmarked for Noida and Greater Noida.

*In Shimla, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has launched the Stree Surkasha Mobile Bilingual App in three districts of Kangra, Chamba and Una. It will help women in emergency situations.

*After many instances of assaults in app-based cabs such as Ola and Uber, the Supreme Court has taken up the matter and is asking the Centre for suggestions. 

* Now, Delhi’s metro is stepping up with its scrutiny mechanism. Over 13,000 CCTV cameras will come up in the new corridors taking up the number from the existing 9,029 cameras. With new routes along Magenta Line and Pink Line opening, the total number of operational stations will jump to 227 which is at present 183. 

Also read: Government To Initiate E-Challans, Technologically Superior Transport Systems To Ensure Safety