Kolkata Police equips Durga Suraksha Squad with pink-orange waistcoats, helmets
Synopsis
Kolkata Police's Durga Suraksha Squad is getting a bold new identity — pink-and-orange waistcoats bearing Goddess Durga's image and pink helmets — as the city's scooter-based women's safety patrol unit moves to stand out on the street. The Lalbazar headquarters has placed orders for 110 waistcoats and 80 helmets at a combined cost of under ₹4 lakh.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police's Durga Suraksha Squad will wear pink-and-orange waistcoats featuring the image of Goddess Durga and her trident while on patrol duty.
Lalbazar headquarters has ordered 110 waistcoats at an estimated cost of ₹2.75 lakh .
Squad members will also receive 80 pink helmets with the Kolkata Police logo at approximately ₹1.08 lakh .
The squad patrols on scooters and is backed by a joint network including cyber, women's police stations, and women's cells across Kolkata .
The Durga Suraksha Squad was launched earlier in July 2025 to raise awareness about and respond to crimes against women.
Kolkata Police's Durga Suraksha Squad will now patrol the city in specially designed pink-and-orange waistcoats emblazoned with the image of Goddess Durga and her trident, a senior police officer confirmed on Thursday, 30 July. The uniform upgrade marks a visible identity push for the squad, which was launched earlier this month to raise awareness about and respond to crimes against women.
What the New Uniform Looks Like
The waistcoat — mandatory for all squad members patrolling on scooters — is designed in pink and orange, colours chosen to symbolise compassion and strength respectively. Both the front and back panels display the face of Goddess Durga alongside her trident, with the words 'Durga Suraksha Squad' prominently printed in English. The garment also features multiple interior pockets for operational convenience.
According to police officials, the design reflects the squad's dual mandate: supporting women in distress with empathy while taking firm action against violence targeting women. The waistcoat has been tailored from lightweight material to ensure comfort, durability, and ease of movement during active patrol duty.
Procurement Details
Kolkata Police Headquarters at Lalbazar has ordered 110 waistcoats at an estimated cost of ₹2.75 lakh. Manufacturers have been instructed to ensure the outfits are professional, sturdy, and suitable for personnel of varying body types without compromising operational efficiency.
The squad will additionally receive new pink helmets carrying the Kolkata Police logo. These helmets feature multilayer soft padding, full-side protection, and chin guards, while maintaining adequate ventilation. Police have ordered approximately 80 such helmets at a cost of around ₹1.08 lakh.
How the Squad Operates
The Durga Suraksha Squad primarily patrols Kolkata on scooters to enhance women's safety across the city. The initiative draws on a joint patrol network comprising personnel from local police stations, the cyber police station, women's police stations, and women's cells spread across the city — making it one of the more integrated women's safety deployments in the state.
Broader Context
The squad's launch and now its uniform rollout come at a time when women's safety in urban West Bengal remains a politically and socially charged issue. Notably, dedicated women-safety patrol units with distinct visual identities have been deployed in other major Indian cities as well, with mixed results in terms of deterrence. The Durga Suraksha Squad's branding — rooted in a culturally resonant symbol — is an attempt to combine institutional authority with community familiarity. Whether the visible identity translates into measurable safety outcomes will be the harder test ahead.
Point of View
Potentially aiding community recognition and deterrence in ways a generic police livery would not. The harder question is whether the squad's joint patrol network — spanning cyber units, women's cells, and local stations — has the coordination and response capacity to back up the symbolism. A visually distinct squad that cannot respond quickly risks becoming a PR exercise. The ₹3.83 lakh combined spend on uniforms and helmets is modest; the real investment test will be in personnel deployment and case follow-through.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kolkata Police Durga Suraksha Squad?
The Durga Suraksha Squad is a Kolkata Police initiative launched in July 2025 to raise awareness about and respond to crimes against women. The squad patrols the city on scooters and is supported by a joint network of personnel from local police stations, cyber units, and women's cells across Kolkata.
What do the new Durga Suraksha Squad uniforms look like?
Squad members will wear pink-and-orange waistcoats displaying the face of Goddess Durga and her trident on both the front and back, with 'Durga Suraksha Squad' printed in English. The waistcoats are made from lightweight material with multiple interior pockets, and are mandatory for personnel patrolling on scooters.
How much did Kolkata Police spend on the new uniforms and helmets?
Kolkata Police Headquarters at Lalbazar ordered 110 waistcoats at an estimated cost of ₹2.75 lakh and approximately 80 pink helmets at around ₹1.08 lakh, bringing the combined outlay to under ₹4 lakh.
What are the features of the new pink helmets for the squad?
The new pink helmets carry the Kolkata Police logo and feature multilayer soft padding, full-side protection, chin guards, and adequate ventilation, designed for comfort and safety during scooter patrol duty.
Why were pink and orange chosen for the Durga Suraksha Squad uniform?
According to police officials, pink symbolises compassion and orange symbolises strength — reflecting the squad's dual role of supporting women in distress with empathy while taking firm action against crimes targeting women.
