Safetipin has been conducting audits to assess the safety of the city of Delhi since August 2013. This report is based on the safety audits done from June 2015 for 17 metro stations of the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro. These stations were selected on the basis of their footfall and further connectivity options. The study reveals the shortfalls of the public transportation system of Delhi and suggests recommendations to better integrate the Metro with other modes of travel.
The audits were carried out using the SafetiPin App. SafetiPin, is a map-based mobile phone application, which works to make communities and cities safer by providing safetyrelated information collected by users and by trained auditors. At the core of the app is the Women’s Safety Audit. A Women’s Safety Audit (WSA) is a participatory tool for collecting and assessing information about perceptions of urban safety in public spaces. The audit is based on nine parameters – Lighting, Openness, Visibility, Crowd, Security, Walkpath, Availability of Public Transport, Gender Usage of Public Spaces and Feeling.
An area of approximately 500m radius around each metro station has been studied to assess the safety and improve the last mile connectivity for the passengers, focusing on female commuters. The audits were done in the evening hours of 5pm-10pm for the 17 metro stations, to evaluate the level of safety and identify ways to improve it.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Integrated Para-transit. Stands for Autos/cycle rickshaw need to be created at regular intervals for people to be able to reach the metro stations comfortably. The location needs to be decided on the basis of entry/exits of Office/ Residential Societies, Markets etc. The Bus connectivity to the areas along the Metro needs to be improved, ensuring proper Bus Stops along the routes they ply on. Auto Stands should be located along these. A bicycle-rental system can be introduced atleast for an area of 1-2km radius around the metro station. Also, convenience facilities like Public Toilets, Drinking Water etc. need to be provided with these Stands.
• Create Zones for Hawkers. The edge of the metro stations particularly the entry/exit points have many vendors selling snacks/tea etc. However, as one moves away the area starts to get secluded. Creating Hawker’s Zones along the most preferred route will assist in meeting one’s daily needs too.
• Create Active Interfaces. The buildings along the main road currently have boundary walls. These need to be taken down. The plot edge can be defined even while creating an active interface with the Footpaths. This will increase the visibility and make the pedestrians feel safe.
• Increase Lighting Levels. Lighting has been rated Average in most parts. However, there is a need to have the area brightly lit. Currently, the street lights are located on the central median only along many roads. Also, regular pruning of trees is very
important as these obstruct light.
• Proper Footpaths. Walk paths have been rated Above Average in most areas. However, they need to be maintained well. Also, it is important to check their elevation from the road level. In many areas, while the footpaths are properly paved, they are being used for vehicular parking forcing people to walk on the vehicular carriageway. Designated Parking Zones need to be established to prevent this.
• Increase Police Patrolling. The main roads are well covered by the PCR Vans/Bikes. However, the routes that are preferred by pedestrians (usually the shortest routes) also need to have police patrolling or CCTV surveillance.
• Parking Zones within Station Premises. The Parking Area within the Metro Station premises also needs to be looked at in detail to ensure space is brightly lit throughout and Visibility is high. These spaces are currently ideal spots violence against women.