Delhiites unhappy about levels of safety

Delhi residents are extremely unhappy with the level of personal safety in the city. The capital ranks last among the 16 cities surveyed on this parameter. Mind you, this survey was conducted a few days before the gang rape in Delhi. Arnab Mitra writes.

This should come as no surprise. Delhi residents are extremely unhappy with the level of personal safety in the city. The capital ranks last among the 16 cities surveyed on this parameter.

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Mind you, this survey was conducted a few days before the gang rape in Delhi that shook the nation.

The first HT-MaRS Happiness Survey, the most definitive such initiative ever undertaken in India, shows that a significant percentage of urban Indians are dissatisfied with the public transport systems, the level of cleanliness, the roads, the law & order situation and the feeling of safety in the cities they live in.

These findings should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities who announce grand plans of turning metropolitan India into magnets for global investments.

The survey indicates a broad convergence of opinion among men and women, students, working men and women, homemakers, retired persons and across all age groups.

Among the 16 surveyed cities, Delhiites are also the most unhappy with the state of the public transport. Mumbaikars say they are unhappy with taxis and autos and that their happiness with bus and train services is under strain.

Overall, only Ahmedabadis are happy with their city. Residents of nine other cities, including Delhi and Bangalore say they were somewhat happy on this score.

Denizens of five other cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai, say their happiness is under strain, while Kolkatans are the only city dwellers who say they are unhappy.