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Indore: Madhya Pradesh has taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety of women travelers by establishing its first district-level committee dedicated to addressing their grievances and creating a secure environment. This initiative, spearheaded by the Indore police, aims to provide a safe haven for women, particularly solo travelers, as the state witnesses a rising influx of tourists.
Similar district-level committees will be set up in prominent tourist destinations across Madhya Pradesh, including Ujjain, Khandwa, Khargone, Niwari, Jabalpur, Anuppur, and Hoshangabad. The Indore committee comprises over 15 members from various departments, including law enforcement, district administration, revenue, tourism, and archaeology.
Dr. Seema Alawa, nodal officer of the Indore district committee and additional deputy commissioner of police, stressed the need for this initiative, saying, “We have formed the state’s first district-level committee that will work with various departments to promote a safe environment for women tourists.” The necessity of establishing a strong and safe environment for women has grown in importance due to the increase in tourists and lone female travelers in the state.
The percentage of female visitors to the state has increased to 20% of all visitors, according to the Travel Agents Association of India’s Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh chapter. This indicates the rising significance of safety precautions for this group of people.
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) and the Madhya Pradesh police have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide training and increase public awareness in an effort to improve safety and awareness. “Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a sought-after tourism destination due to its rich heritage, vibrant culture, and captivating attractions,” stated Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, the state’s minister of tourism. The number of visitors is increasing every year, and the state government is dedicated to creating a safe space where female travelers feel comfortable and safe. Through promoting cooperation between law enforcement, district administration, tourism, and other pertinent sectors, these committees will support the expansion of the tourism industry. We intend to duplicate this strategy across the state.”
35,000 people have received self-defense instruction from the MPTB as part of the Safe Tourism Destination for Women (STDW) initiative, which has trained about 8,000 women. The goal of this initiative is to prepare women for 48 different positions in the hospitality industry, such as tour guides, boat operators, guards, drivers, and hotel operators. “Madhya Pradesh is nurturing a cadre of adept women under the STDW project to develop a talent pool within the hospitality sector,” Minister Lodhi said, expressing delight in the effort.
Both the working committee’s exact role and the operational structure are currently being discussed. “We are still determining the committee’s operational framework,” said Dr. Alawa. The group tasked with ensuring the creation of appropriate infrastructure for female tourists includes the revenue department. The main goals are to support underprivileged women travelers and create a happy atmosphere.
By taking this proactive step, Madhya Pradesh is demonstrating its dedication to improving the state’s tourist industry by providing a secure and friendly atmosphere for female visitors.