Newz Desk, Durgapur: As Kolkata Police prepares to roll out night-long Pink Security Booths across the city to strengthen women’s safety, the development has sparked renewed discussions on the urgent need for similar measures in Durgapur—especially with the year-ending festive season drawing near.
At a time when concerns over crimes targeting women are rising nationwide, Kolkata’s initiative marks a significant shift toward visible, women-led safety infrastructure. Designed as night-long safety anchors for women on the roads, each booth will be staffed solely by women personnel and positioned at strategic intersections crossings.
Why Durgapur Needs This—Now More Than Ever
With Christmas, New Year celebrations, factory year-end bonuses and heightened late-night movement set to begin, Durgapur’s streets are expected to witness a surge in crowds, shopping activity and nightlife. Local women’s groups say this period typically sees an increase in harassment complaints, especially around City Centre, Muchipara, Junction Mall, Benachiti, Bidhannagar and major industrial belt crossings where women often return home late after shifts.
Gargi Sarkar a resident of Kaliganj said ‘Safety advocates argue that establishing Pink Security Booths ahead of the festive season would provide reassurance and real, on-ground security infrastructure in a city where public transport thins out after 9 pm and police visibility often dips in interior stretches.’
A Model Already Tested
Kolkata Police is simultaneously expanding the appointment of women nodal officers to all police stations, a system that began in the South-East Division. These officers handle all cases relating to crimes against women, easing discomfort during initial complaint stages when many hesitate to speak openly to male staff.
Senior officials in Kolkata have emphasised that the booths put women’s safety at the centre, with a woman officer heading each unit and a support team of three to five women constables ensuring round-the-clock accessibility. A location-mapping survey has already identified high-footfall junctions as optimal spots for deployment.
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