Unavailability of proper lighting on roads in Delhi

Women safety is one of the major concerns that plague our nation. The crime against women has surged to such an extent that our national capital is now known as rape capital. In fact, the situation is so worse that it has affected one of the fastest growing sectors of our country – tourism. Delhi leads the number of reported crimes, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar following the capital closely.

The city has been rated as the least safe place in India for women. Apart from the lack of strict laws, the city also lacks basic amenities such as proper light in the city. There are many places in Delhi that are completely dark during the night owing to the shortage of street lights. According to a recent report in Deccan Herald, the area near the South Polytechnic College for Women (Behind LSR) is as secluded at the night, as it is crowded during the day.

The situation (lack of lights) is a big problem in city like Delhi where most women belong to the urban working class and travel through public transport to reach home after their work. Such a scenario gives rise to the crime against the fairer sex making them uncomfortable in their own vicinity. Every five year, a politician claims to eradicate these crimes against women but hardly any steps have ever been molded into a proper shape.

Creating a women’s helpline does nothing for their safety, if she is out during the late hours and stuck in an unfortunate situation. Better lighting on the streets, along with the night-vision CCTVs is the need of the hour and should be dealt with utmost seriousness. The sad part is most of the bigger roads and flyovers have enough light for the nighttime but some colonies and lesser known routes lack these amenities which makes a women traveler cautious.