Odisha Plans ₹10 Crore Push to Make Sambalpur Safer for Women

Sambalpur: The Odisha government has proposed nine schemes worth ₹10 crore under the Nirbhaya Initiative to make Sambalpur a safer and more women-friendly city. The plan focuses on improving security, emergency assistance, public transport and essential facilities for women and girls.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the proposed initiatives during a meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday.

Under the ‘Shakti Sarathi’ scheme, 15 two-wheelers will be deployed for women police personnel to ensure quick assistance and regular patrolling. The ‘Pratikriya’ initiative proposes 15 emergency response vehicles and drones to support rescue operations.

To strengthen security, the ‘Drishti’ scheme will provide 800 CCTV cameras across 210 locations. Meanwhile, five police assistance centres will be established under ‘S-Stop’, and 40 pink e-rickshaws will be introduced under ‘Sahayatra’ to offer safe and convenient transportation.

Four dedicated support centres under ‘Nirbhaya Sadan’ are proposed at the district court, railway station, Burla medical college area and District Headquarters Hospital.

The government also plans to establish six public toilets with nursing facilities under ‘Sathi’ and introduce real-time bus tracking for vehicles operated by 50 educational institutions under the ‘Yatra’ scheme.

Additionally, the ‘Sachetanata’ programme will promote awareness of women’s safety, self-defence, health education and community participation.

Garg stressed the importance of involving adolescent boys in awareness campaigns to encourage respectful behaviour, gender sensitivity and social responsibility towards women.