Chennai: Women’s safety in Chennai continues to be a pressing concern, influencing daily travel choices, preferred commuting routes, and decisions to avoid late-evening journeys altogether. To better assess these challenges and strengthen urban safety, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is preparing to launch a large-scale study on women’s safety in public spaces and public transport across the city.

Estimated at Rs 19.78 lakh, the project will be carried out over more than six months and aims to provide evidence-based insights to support city planning, governance, and service delivery focused on urban safety and gender-inclusive mobility.

This midline assessment follows an earlier survey conducted by the GCC’s Gender and Policy Lab, which covered 3,097 respondents, including women, men, and transgender persons. One of its key findings highlighted that 49.4 per cent of two-wheeler users relying on Google Maps rated their nighttime safety perception at three or below on a five-point scale, underscoring continuing fears around night-time mobility and public safety in Chennai.

The upcoming study will employ a mixed-method research approach across all 15 GCC zones, as well as major bus terminals, railway stations, transit hubs, and busy public locations. Around 3,000 respondents will be surveyed, including 2,400 women, 100 transgender individuals, and 500 respondents specifically at transit hubs and public areas.

According to GCC officials, data will be collected digitally to generate comprehensive indicators on mobility patterns, public transport experiences, safety perceptions, harassment incidents, and awareness of emergency helplines and support systems. Surveys will be conducted across various days and at different times to reflect realistic and diverse commuting conditions.

Key survey locations will be documented through photographs, while the study will also include focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to capture qualitative insights. These conversations are expected to document lived experiences, perceived risks, and everyday safety challenges faced by women and gender-diverse persons navigating the city.

Officials added that the study will also verify earlier reports and assess current conditions at identified locations. The findings will then be analysed using statistical methods and compared with baseline results to track shifts in safety perceptions and realities. The outcomes are expected to guide future civic interventions to make Chennai’s streets, public spaces, and transport systems safer, more inclusive, and gender-responsive.

IANS