Kota, April 25 (IANS) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday reviewed projects under the Nirbhaya Fund at the Kota Circuit House, issuing key directives aimed at enhancing women’s safety across the city.

Taking a proactive stance on proposals presented by the police department, Birla directed that CCTV cameras installed across Kota be upgraded with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to significantly improve surveillance efficiency. He also instructed officials to expand the CCTV network to cover additional critical areas of the district.

“No criminal will now be able to escape police surveillance,” he said.

To further strengthen safety measures and ensure timely assistance for women, Birla called for the deployment of two ‘Pink Patrolling Vans’ and the establishment of ‘Pink Booths’ at prominent locations across the city.

Rajasthan Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar was also present at the meeting.

Emphasising the broader social impact, Birla said women’s safety is not just an administrative responsibility but a key factor in building public trust and confidence. He directed officials to ensure the timely and effective implementation of all approved initiatives so that women and girls can feel secure in their daily lives.

Special focus was placed on the safety of students, particularly young women who come to Kota for coaching. Officials were instructed to expand self-defence training programmes and strengthen cyber awareness campaigns.

Birla also directed the development of the city’s Women’s Police Station into a ‘Model Women’s Police Station’ to ensure more sensitive and effective policing.

Senior officials, including Rajendra Prasad Goyal and Piyush Samariya, attended the meeting.

Kota has been selected as one of 10 cities under the ‘Inclusive Cities for Women and Girls’ initiative funded by the Nirbhaya Fund. Each city has been allocated Rs 10 crore under this pilot programme to create safer urban environments for women.

Planned interventions include AI-enabled CCTV systems, Pink e-rickshaws, high-mast lighting, women-led police patrols, Pink ambulances, safe waiting areas, emergency call boxes, lounges for working women, affordable housing, and Pink toilets.

The initiative also provides for the deployment of female security personnel at tourist sites, along with driving and self-defence training programmes.

–IANS

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