Bangalore:
After the horrific December 16 Delhi gang-rape case, where a 23-year-old paramedical student was fatally assaulted on a moving bus, the Karnataka government announced that CCTV cameras will be set up in city buses. As per the announcement, made by the BJP government which was in power in Karnataka in January, 500 buses of Bangalore were to be installed with high-end CCTV cameras as one of the safety measures for women.
Thousands of students, mainly young women, use the city's buses daily.
However, eight months after the announcement, the process has not even begun. The transport department is still to procure the CCTV cameras. Sources attributed delay to the change in government after elections.
"I take the bus every morning and evening, like most do in Bangalore. It was definitely a sense of relief when the government announced CCTVs would be set up, considering the number of incidents that have taken place over these few months. But unfortunately they haven't been installed as yet," said Rosy Mary, a student, on board bus No 225.
Another young woman, seated on the differently-abled seat in the bus, says, "There is no fear among many men. They try to grope a woman. Some are so brazen they do not spare even the differently abled."
There are close to 6000 foreign students pursuing their higher education in Karnataka. And several hundreds more, from other states in India. Renting a place to stay is expensive and many students opt for a paying guest accommodation instead.
"Security is least in a PG. In a hostel, we have a security person, a warden to keep a check if the girl has come back or not. My PG is in an isolated street. So if it is dark, I am scared to walk the stretch," said Nayani, a student from Mumbai, living in Bangalore.