Kolkata, February 28 – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Saturday the launch of two women-centric initiatives by the Kolkata Police aimed at strengthening the safety and security of women across the city, particularly during late-night hours.
In a post on her X handle, Banerjee said the initiatives are designed to further enhance women's confidence and ensure prompt assistance when needed.
"I am proud to announce that, to further increase the safety and confidence of women in our city, the Kolkata Police will launch two new initiatives starting today," she said.
Banerjee continued, "First, several all-women Pink Booths at key city intersections will be commissioned and will be operational from evening to midnight, starting today. My sisters in the city will be able to directly connect with the lady officers of the Kolkata Police for any assistance in these booths."
At the same time, the Chief Minister informed that the women's mobile patrol teams will also be on duty at night.
"Second, starting this evening, several 'SHINING' (as I have named them) all-women mobile patrol teams will also be on duty from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., patrolling the E.M. Bypass and other major city roads used by my working sisters during night hours," she said.
According to her, Kolkata continues to be the safest city in the country. "I am sure these two unique new initiatives will go a long way in furthering this," she added.
According to official sources, these measures come in the wake of recent incidents of harassment reported in different parts of the city, including cases involving women being harassed inside moving vehicles during late-night hours. While the police had arrested the accused in those cases, concerns over women's safety had resurfaced.
The state government said the introduction of the Pink Booths and the 'SHINING' patrol teams is aimed at ensuring quicker response, improved accessibility to police support, and proactive patrolling to deter crime, creating a safer environment for women in Kolkata.