Pink Booth in Lucknow: A Safe Space for Women Under Mission Shakti

Lucknow has been steadily working to make the city safer and more accessible for women — and one visible example of that effort is the Pink Booth initiative. These booths are part of UP’s broader Mission Shakti programme, designed to support, empower and protect women in everyday life.

What Exactly Is a Pink Booth?

A Pink Booth is a dedicated helpdesk set up in local neighbourhoods where women (and other citizens) can go for routine police-related assistance without having to visit a full police station. Instead of walking into a traditional station, you can approach the nearest Pink Booth for help with:

• Filing complaints on civil issues or follow-ups

• Registering cyber fraud cases

• Reporting lost or stolen documents (like mobile phones, Aadhaar, PAN)

• Getting FIR copies or status updates

• Finding contact details of nearby police offices

Each booth is staffed by women police personnel, making it a comfortable and approachable environment, especially for women who may otherwise hesitate to go to a police station.

Why It Was Created

Pink Booths were introduced as part of the Mission Shakti initiative — the Uttar Pradesh government’s flagship programme focused on women’s safety, dignity, empowerment and self-reliance. Under Mission Shakti, efforts are being made to make safety and police services more accessible at the neighbourhood level, spread awareness about rights, and encourage reporting of concerns without fear.

By expanding beyond traditional police stations and creating these smaller points of contact across the city — with women officers trained in cyber and community response — Lucknow is trying to build a system where women feel confident and supported when seeking help.

How They Operate

Lucknow currently has dozens of Pink Booths spread across the district, each classified by sensitivity and function hours — from 24-hour booths to those open most of the day. They work like mini help-desks, focusing on service-related grievances while easing the load on regular police stations.

If a booth is closed or unattended, a CUG contact number is displayed for immediate assistance — and in urgent cases, dialing 112 triggers a Pink Patrol or police response team.

What It Stands For

At its heart, the Pink Booth initiative stands for accessible policing, safety, and confidence for women. It reflects Mission Shakti’s broader mission: not just responding to crimes but creating an environment where women can approach authorities without hesitation, get help for everyday issues, and feel secure in public spaces and communities.

In a city where empowerment and public safety are growing priorities, Pink Booths are a simple yet impactful step toward making policing more friendly, approachable and responsive for everyone — especially women.