LUCKNOW Shorter daylight periods due to the ongoing winter season, low visibility due to dense fog, defunct streetlights, and lack of female cops are some of the many reasons forcing women to avoid public transport modes after dusk in Lucknow. Besides, cases of assault in autos reported in several parts of U.P. last year have further added to their fear.
“How many female cops do you see posted around the city? There are hardly any,” said Aashna Saraf, a Qaisar Bagh resident who regularly goes for group study sessions to her batchmates’ house but doesn’t have a personal vehicle. “With so many cases of assault in autos surfacing in the recent past, it feels unsafe to board public transport. Significantly, many of us can’t book a cab from aggregating services every day as they charge more. Cabs still feel safer as those drivers are accountable to the company and there is an emergency button on the app as well. There’s no such facility in public transport modes. Thus, we are left with no option,” added Saraf.
Similarly, a Jankipuram Extension resident told HT how the streets go dark in the area after dusk due to fog and non-functional streetlights, making it a nightmare for women to step out. “Not just nights, early mornings have also become unsafe for women due to the fog and the dark. I fear for the safety of my wife and daughter who often pass by the crossing near Jankipuram police station which remains dark before and after daylight. The condition is such that they have to rely on the flashlights of their phones. Colleges and workplaces should provide carpooling services, especially now when it gets dark after 5:30 pm itself,” said the resident.
Echoing these concerns, Gomti Nagar-resident Shweta Singh, who works night shifts, said, “Due to the cold, several auto-drivers have started using blinds on both sides. This protects them from chilly winds but makes us jittery. Fearing for my safety, I wait for autos without curtains. There have been times when auto-drivers have turned on the light inside the vehicle and stared at me from the rear-view mirror. In such situations, I just ask them to stop the auto and get off.”
{{/usCountry}}Echoing these concerns, Gomti Nagar-resident Shweta Singh, who works night shifts, said, “Due to the cold, several auto-drivers have started using blinds on both sides. This protects them from chilly winds but makes us jittery. Fearing for my safety, I wait for autos without curtains. There have been times when auto-drivers have turned on the light inside the vehicle and stared at me from the rear-view mirror. In such situations, I just ask them to stop the auto and get off.”
{{/usCountry}}Citing an incident that happened with her friend recently, Singh said, “She was waiting for an auto around 10:30 pm. Soon, an auto stopped by but it had the curtains on. Also, there was another man sitting in the passenger seat. The driver persuaded my friend to get into the auto saying the other passenger would deboard after a few kilometres but in view of her safety, she declined the ride and waited for another one.”
Unfortunately, almost every commuting woman has a similar anecdote in the city. Regardless, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation is yet to ensure the installation of streetlights at several spots in the city. In fact, the deadline for installations is often pushed back. Till authorities take concrete steps to make streets safer, women, especially those who don’t own a personal vehicle, seemingly have no option but to continue risking their safety.