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Pink booths were created under the Safe City Project to provide immediate police assistance to women in public places and to safely convey their complaints to the police. Now these pink booths are telling the story of their plight. A total of 99 pink booths were made in Lucknow for the safety of women.

More than Rs 194.44 crore was spent on pink booths. Despite this, the ground reality appears to be different. Many pink booths were found closed, while dirt, waterlogging and other disorders were seen at many places. In such a situation, questions are being raised on this entire system made for the safety of women.

Pink booths were built for women's safety

After the Nirbhaya incident in Delhi, Safe City Project was started in Lucknow for the safety of women. Under this, pink booths were made in major public places and sensitive areas of the city. Their objective was that women and girls could get immediate help from the police if needed.

Women policemen were deployed at these pink booths, so that women facing molestation, harassment, domestic violence or any other problem could lodge their complaints without any hesitation. If necessary, arrangements were also made to take them safely to the concerned police station or women's help desk.

Pink booth in bad condition

The pink booth built near National PG College in Rana Pratap Marg and Hazratganj area was found in a bad condition. The road leading to the booth is full of dirt. In such a situation, it is not easy for girl students going to college and women passing by to reach here.

At the same time, the way to reach the pink booth built on the pathway near Begum Hazrat Mahal Park is also troublesome. Due to the high road, elderly women and girls may face difficulty in reaching here. The pink booth which was built for the safety and convenience of women, now seems to be becoming a cause of trouble for them.

Somewhere a lock was found hanging and somewhere there was a pile of dirt.

Major flaws were revealed in the condition of pink booths in different areas of the city. Booths were found closed at many places and at some places the surrounding environment seemed to raise questions on the security arrangements. Four pink booths have been made in Sarojininagar police station area. The pink booth located near Hydil Chowki was found closed in the afternoon. In such a situation, if a woman needs immediate police assistance even during the day, then where should she go is a big question. Pink booth number 31 in Ashiana was found closed till around 3.15 pm. When women coming from far away places do not get help at the booth, they have to return. Due to this, questions are being raised on the operation and monitoring system of pink booths.

The female constable is also worried at the booth

The female policewoman posted at booth number 75 in the Scooters India area was herself seen struggling with many problems. There is an open drain around the booth, which is becoming a problem in terms of safety as well as health. There was also lack of basic facilities like drinking water and toilets for the women policemen at the booth. In such a situation, the question is not only about the safety of women, but also about the facilities of those women policemen who have to sit at these booths and help the women.

Booths are closed at night, how will you get help?

The biggest question arises regarding the safety of women at night. Pink booths are closed at night and the policemen deployed there are also not present. In such a situation, if any incident happens to a woman at night and she needs immediate police help, then how useful will that pink booth be to her?

The sole purpose of making the pink booth was to provide a safe environment to women in public places and to provide them with immediate police help if needed. If the booths are found closed at night and there is no policeman present there, then the entire purpose of starting pink booths comes under question.