Advancing UP’s 'Safe City' Agenda: Yogi Govt Announces 'Safe Industrial Area' To Enhance Security In Industrial Zones

The Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, announced plans to enhance the security of industrial areas as part of its safe city initiative, according to a government statement on 19 August.

The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has begun work on creating a model of a 'Safe Industrial Area' based on the concept of a ‘Safe City’. Various projects are already in progress, reports Hindustan Times.

The project is aimed at improving the security of women, entrepreneurs, employees, and workers in industrial areas. It also focuses on enhancing the work environment in terms of safety.

As part of this initiative, industrial areas are being equipped with CCTV cameras to monitor activities.

In addition, the construction of pink toilets, fire stations, and police posts is underway. An estimated budget of Rs 235 crore has been allocated for these projects. UPSIDA has already started implementing this plan in 70 industrial areas.

Mayur Maheshwari, the CEO of UPSIDA, developed the plan for a Safe Industrial Area, secured a significant budget, and initiated the necessary work, as stated in the official announcement.

As part of the project, the installation of 25,000 streetlights at a cost of Rs 55 crore and 480 high mast lights worth Rs 25 crore is currently underway in industrial areas. Additionally, there are plans to construct 42 police outposts and set up 12 fire stations.

A total of 70 industrial areas will have CCTV cameras installed, with an investment of Rs 14 crore.

Furthermore, a public address system is being installed — enabling effective communication with employees and the surrounding community. These CCTV cameras will be integrated with artificial intelligence, allowing them to send alerts in case of suspicious activities or criminal behaviour.

UPSIDA is also working on installing Health ATMs in these industrial areas.

UP’s Target To Establish 18 Safe Cities

In July this year, during a review meeting, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to transform all 17 Municipal Corporations and Gautam Budh Nagar into 'safe cities' within the next three months.

With this, Uttar Pradesh is set to become the first state in the country to establish 18 'safe cities' that will prioritise the safety and development of its residents, according to CM Yogi Adityanath. (read more on this)

Under the Lucknow Police Commissionerate, the state has implemented various security measures through the 'safe city' project. This initiative aims to create a conducive environment for every individual in the state.

These include modern control rooms, pink police booths, Asha Jyoti Kendras, CCTV cameras, help desks for counsellors in women's police stations, and panic buttons in buses.

The Chief Minister further outlined the phased implementation of the project. In the second phase, the municipalities of 57 district headquarters will be included, followed by 143 municipalities in the third phase.