Rs. 2,919cr Nirbhaya Fund approved to create 8 'safe cities'
The Central government on Thursday approved Rs. 2,919 crore under Nirbhaya Fund to create eight "safe cities" that will have patrolled public spaces and quicker response systems to curb crimes against women. The eight cities to undergo reform are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Lucknow. Notably, the Nirbhaya Fund corpus has grown to Rs. 3,100 crore between 2013-2017. Here's more.
Rs. 500 crore sanctioned for 2018-19
The government has sanctioned another Rs. 500 crore for 2018-19 alone. It has also approved user-trials of panic buttons on cell phones, which will begin later in March. A model forensic laboratory will also be set up in Chandigarh. Local municipal corporations and police commissionerates have been roped in for successful implementation of safe cities. Now, a look at the projects in various cities.
Tighter police patrolling at schools, metro stations
A Rs. 663-crore project has been greenlit to make public spaces, especially roads, schools and metro stations, safer for women in Delhi. The project will make sure that modern technology (video monitoring/facial recognition analytics/person-tracking systems) and patrol vans fitted with GPS-tracking and on-board video feed-sharing systems are added to the Delhi Police fleet to create effective resistance mechanism.
GIS mapping, alert quick response police teams
Mumbai will get Rs. 252 crore to train investigating officers, enable GIS mapping at danger zones, and boost quick-response police teams, video surveillance and "Police Didi" program, which deploys female officers to help slum women. Chennai will get Rs. 425 crore to enhance security at criminal hotspots, in public transport; introduce GIS-based crime mapping, a women helpdesk; and create a cyber crime/legal assistance lab.
ABHAYAM Vans, women police stations, safety islands
Rs. 253 crore sanctioned for Ahmedabad to create ABHAYAM Vans for expedited response system, One Stop Crisis Centres and women 'She Teams' to enhance surveillance, and to make the Sabarmati River Front more women-friendly. Kolkata will get Rs. 181.32 crore to strengthen nine women police stations. Meanwhile, Rs. 667 crore have been approved for Bengaluru to set up women police outposts and safety islands.
