Gurgaon to Launch Prepaid Auto Booths Near Metro for Women’s Safety
Gurgaon Police are set to introduce prepaid autorickshaw booths near key metro stations, including Millennium City Centre and IFFCO Chowk in a bid to strengthen public transport safety for women. The initiative will require auto drivers to register key personal and vehicle details, which will be stored digitally for quick access during emergencies. Police presence at these booths is expected to deter misconduct and reassure women commuters. Officials confirmed that civic agencies are also working on enhancing lighting and surveillance at identified vulnerable spots across the city.
Gurgaon is stepping up its urban safety infrastructure with a focus on women’s mobility needs, particularly around high-traffic metro nodes. Responding to longstanding commuter concerns, prepaid autorickshaw booths are planned at two of the city’s busiest metro hubs, with the aim of making travel safer and more accountable. These booths will not just regulate auto services but also ensure transparency by logging driver identities and contact information. Police officials emphasised that the system will be closely monitored, with uniformed personnel stationed on-site to ensure real-time intervention in case of any safety breaches. The scheme emerged from public consultations, particularly among women who voiced apprehensions about unregulated last-mile transit options in parts of Gurgaon. Previous safety mechanisms, such as women-only vehicles and mobile apps, failed to gain sustainable traction due to inconsistent implementation and limited outreach.
Recognising this, traffic authorities are engaging auto unions to finalise logistics and onboard an external agency to manage the booth operations. The goal is to build a dependable, city-wide system that prioritises safety without creating barriers to access for the wider public. For many residents, the initiative is welcome but cautiously received. Concerns persist around long-term enforcement and public awareness. While gated communities offer private security, large swathes of Gurgaon remain underserved in terms of street lighting, transit regulation, and safety audits. Experts say the success of the prepaid booth model will depend on its visibility, follow-up awareness drives, and integration with other civic reforms like smart surveillance and urban lighting. Residents stressed that unless safety mechanisms are institutionalised, their efficacy may fade over time.
To complement the new booths, authorities are collaborating with civic bodies to upgrade physical infrastructure in 20 vulnerable areas, including parks, public colleges, and major intersections. Plans include deploying CCTV cameras and improving street lighting in places like Sector 52, IMT-Manesar crossing, and Devilal Park. The move signals a broader attempt to align public transport safety with inclusive urban planning, especially for groups who often feel marginalised in crowded, underlit, or unregulated city spaces. Officials hope that these efforts will begin shifting the city’s safety narrative towards a more equitable and accessible future. As Gurgaon pursues smarter and safer mobility systems, ensuring that women feel secure in public spaces remains a pressing civic goal. While prepaid booths are a step in the right direction, sustainable impact will require regular audits, community feedback loops, and integration with broader safety infrastructure.
