MCG signs pact with pvt org to assess safety of Gurugram public spaces
The initiative will survey bus stops, metro stations and public toilets to assess lighting, cleanliness, accessibility and availability of basic facilities.
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Safetipin India Foundation (SIF) to assess and improve Gurugram’s public spaces, making them safer and more user-friendly for residents, especially women and children.
The MoU was signed in the presence of MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya. Additional municipal commissioner Yash Jaluka represented the MCG, while Dr Kalpana Viswanath signed for Safetipin India Foundation. (HT)
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According to the agreement, the two organisations will evaluate major public locations in the city and develop an action plan to improve urban safety and accessibility.
As part of the initiative, high-footfall public locations such as bus stops, metro stations, public toilets and others will be assessed based on parameters such as safety, lighting, accessibility, cleanliness and availability of basic facilities.
Safetipin India Foundation will conduct surveys and collect data through its expert teams. The data-based study will help identify gaps in urban infrastructure and suggest improvements needed to make public spaces more secure and inclusive.
The MCG will provide necessary administrative assistance such as facilitating permissions for surveys, identifying locations for assessment, and sharing relevant information like ward boundaries and other civic data.
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The corporation will also coordinate with various departments to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
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The corporation will also coordinate with various departments to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
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Officials said the partnership marks an important step toward improving safety and usability of public spaces in Gurugram. The study is expected to provide valuable insights that will help authorities make informed decisions on urban planning and infrastructure improvements.
The MoU was signed in the presence of MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya. Additional municipal commissioner Yash Jaluka represented the MCG while Dr Kalpana Viswanath, co-founder and chief executive officer of Safetipin India Foundation, signed on behalf of the organisation.
“The initiative would help generate critical data to strengthen urban planning and improve civic infrastructure,” Dahiya said.
The CEO of Safetipin India Foundation, Dr Viswanath, said, “Evaluating public spaces through a data-driven approach is essential for building safer cities.”She said the surveys will help identify areas where improvements are required in terms of lighting, safety, mobility and public facilities, enabling authorities to make targeted interventions.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
