MCG signs MoU to audit safety, accessibility of public spaces

GURGAON: MCG on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Safetipin India Foundation to assess the safety and accessibility of public spaces across the city.

Under the agreement, the organisation will survey key public locations such as bus stops, metro stations, public toilets and other crowded areas, evaluating them on parameters including lighting, accessibility, cleanliness and availability of basic infrastructure.

The assessments will cover around 500 km of major roads and selected public spaces over a three-month period beginning next week. The surveys will be conducted using Safetipin’s digital platforms — My Safetipin App and Safetipin Nite — which collect geo-tagged data on critical urban safety indicators such as lighting, visibility, openness, presence of people, walkability, security and access to public transport. The organisation will also document the experiences of women and girls who use public spaces and transport systems to identify gaps and recommend improvements.

MCG will support the initiative by identifying key locations for assessment, facilitating approvals for data collection and providing spatial datasets related to public infrastructure. The civic body will also coordinate with relevant departments for implementing recommendations emerging from the assessment.

Officials said the initiative is expected to generate insights to improve the design and usability of public spaces, including parks, markets and transit corridors, and help address gaps in infrastructure and safety conditions. The collaboration aims to create more accessible and inclusive urban environments that support women’s mobility and participation in public life, officials said.

The MoU was signed in the presence of MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya. Additional commissioner Yash Jaluka represented the civic body, while Kalpana Viswanath, co-founder and CEO of Safetipin India Foundation, signed on behalf of the organisation.

Dahiya said, “The findings will help identify gaps in public infrastructure and guide corrective measures.” Viswanath said the study would evaluate conditions related to lighting, mobility and safety and submit recommendations to the civic body.

Officials said the findings are expected to guide measures to make public spaces safer and more accessible, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups.