on 1st March, 2018 the central government announced that it had approved projects amounting 2,919 crore rupees under Nirbhaya fund. The money has been set aside to create ‘safe cities’ for women.
Eight cities are at the centre of these initiatives, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Lucknow. Between the years 2013 and 2017, the amount under the Nirbhaya fund has increased to 3,100 crores. 500 crores have been earmarked for 2018-19. Part of the plan also includes the approved user trial of panic buttons on phones in Uttar Pradesh.
It also includes setting up a model forensic science laboratory in Chandigarh. The plans for safe cities are being developed in accordance with the municipal corporations’ ideas. 663 crores have been sanctioned to make public spaces in Delhi safe. It also speaks of having patrol vans in the cities, and the latest technology. Mumbai is giving 252 crores to have GIS mapping of criminal hotspots. The ‘police didi’ programme also includes female police interacting with women in the slums. A cybercrime and legal assistance compensation lab will also be set up. Ahmedabad will also see ‘she teams’ of women for surveillance. In Bengaluru 667 crores are being given for setting up women police outposts and the creation of safety islands.
So far the use of the Nirbhaya fund has been haphazard and not beneficial for the women. But making cities safe might be the first step to make the country safe for women. With such a large amount of money sanctioned, hopefully, people will see some change by the end of the year. The development of GPS-tracking and facial recognition technology is also in the works. But what should also be done are awareness programmes, not just for women but for men as well and in schools. The need of the hour is the safety but also gender literacy lacking in our country. If only money could change the attitude of the people and mindsets.