Chennai, Jan 8 (NationPress) The issue of women's safety in Chennai continues to influence daily choices, whether it’s selecting travel routes or steering clear of late-night journeys.

In an effort to uncover these challenges and pinpoint urban safety deficits, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to initiate a comprehensive assessment examining how women navigate public spaces and transport.

This initiative, which has a projected budget of Rs 19.78 lakh, is anticipated to span over six months.

According to officials, the primary goal of the study is to generate data-driven insights that can enhance planning, governance, and service provisions related to urban safety.

This midline study follows a previous survey conducted by the GCC's Gender and Policy Lab, which involved 3,097 participants, including women, men, and transgender individuals.

A notable outcome from the baseline survey indicated that 49.4 percent of two-wheeler riders using Google Maps rated their sense of safety at night at three or below on a five-point scale, underscoring ongoing concerns about nighttime travel.

The forthcoming study will employ a mixed-method research strategy across all 15 zones of Chennai, focusing on major transit hubs such as bus terminals, railway stations, and crowded public areas.

Approximately 3,000 respondents will be surveyed, comprising 2,400 women, 100 transgender individuals, and 500 participants specifically at transit centers and public spaces.

According to GCC officials, data will be collected digitally to encompass various indicators, such as mobility patterns, public transport experiences, safety perceptions, harassment incidents, and knowledge of emergency helplines and support systems. Surveys will be conducted on different weekdays and at various times to capture diverse travel scenarios.

Key sites identified during the survey will also be documented through photographs. Besides quantitative surveys, qualitative insights will be gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.

These engagements are expected to capture lived experiences, risk perceptions, and daily challenges faced by women and gender-diverse individuals while traversing the city.

Officials stated that the study will verify previous reports and assess conditions at identified locations before analyzing the results using statistical techniques.

The findings will be compared to baseline data to monitor trends and changes in safety perceptions, ultimately informing future civic interventions aimed at making Chennai's streets and transport systems more secure and inclusive.