Chennai Emerges as Indias Safest Metro for Women, NCRB Report Reveals
Posted on: 19/Dec/2023 2:32:44 PM
Chennai stands out as the safest metro for women in India, based on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report, revealing a mere 736 cases of crimes against women in the city, a decline from the previous year`s 874. In stark contrast, Mumbai and Bengaluru reported over 3,000 cases each, while Delhi topped the list with a staggering 14,158 cases.
Chennai`s success in women`s safety is attributed to proactive policing, the deployment of pink patrols in strategic locations, and extensive CCTV camera coverage, especially in commercial areas and around educational institutions. Despite this positive trend, concerns arise as 1,878 cases remain pending, facing challenges like weak chargesheets, hostile witnesses, and insufficient evidence. In 2022, the police secured convictions in 59 cases, but 109 cases resulted in acquittals.
Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore credits the city`s success to having the highest percentage of women in the police force and an increasing number of women confidently registering complaints. He emphasizes that this confidence aids in legally punishing perpetrators, acting as a deterrent.
To enhance women`s safety further, the Chennai police have implemented safe city projects under the Nirbhaya Fund, costing ₹165.8 crore. These initiatives include the effective pink patrol, a network of 5,250 cameras across 1,750 locations, and a cyber forensic laboratory facilitating mobile data extraction and social media analysis. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), equipped with artificial intelligence-based software, plays a pivotal role. It offers analytics features and sends alerts in real-time during potential crimes, utilizing video analytics for detecting various offenses.
While Chennai`s efforts are commendable, the persisting challenges underscore the need for continued focus on improving safety in public spaces and public transport, with several pending projects under the Nirbhaya scheme awaiting implementation.
