09/02/2026
Recent deaths caused by open pits and unsafe street conditions have raised questions about how cities identify and respond to everyday civic risks.
In the article “After deaths in Delhi, Noida due to civic neglect, can citizen audits make cities safer?”, Kalpana Viswanath explains that citizen-led safety audits help surface risks that often go unnoticed in public spaces. While Safetipin’s audits focus on aspects such as lighting, visibility and access to public transport, they also record issues related to footpaths and street conditions. She notes that this approach can be extended to include wider civic hazards like open pits and potholes.
Kalpana also highlights that city responses to this vary. While some authorities have acted on audit findings, others have not. According to her, the larger gap lies in the absence of a formal, institutional process that requires authorities to engage with citizen-generated data and act on it.
She further points out that grievance apps alone cannot prevent harm unless they are integrated into civic systems, backed by accountability, and supported by enforceable protocols. Without institutional mechanisms that require authorities to act, reporting risks remains reactive rather than preventive.
Read the full article here: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/can-citizens-be-civic-sentinels-101770579209770.html
