Balasore, July 16: In a concerning revelation, government data indicates that 5,668 women in Odisha have fallen victim to harassment or indecent behavior on national highways, state highways, and other roads over the past four years (2020–2024). The report highlights a troubling trend, with Balasore district ranking sixth in the state for such incidents.
While Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD) tops the list with 1,341 reported cases, Balasore has recorded 81 cases of women and young girls being harassed in public spaces during the same period. Alarmingly, only a few victims in Balasore have received justice, with many still awaiting legal resolution.
The state data underscores that no other police district in Odisha, except Bhubaneswar, has reported more than 500 cases of harassment on roads. Several districts, in fact, reported zero incidents, raising concerns over potential underreporting or gaps in law enforcement.
Key statistics from 2020 to 2024:
Total road harassment cases in Odisha: 5,668
Primary locations: National and state highways, major roads, and public thoroughfares
Top districts by reported cases:
Bhubaneswar UPD – 1,341 cases, Sambalpur – 453 cases, Nabarangpur – 310 cases, Bhadrak – 240 cases, Puri – 119 cases, Balasore – 81 cases, Angul – 107 cases, Bargarh – 49 cases, Balangir – 28 cases, Deogarh – 19 cases, Rayagada – 18 cases
Districts with Minimal Reporting (1 case each):
Boudh, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj
Districts with Zero Reported Cases in 4 Years:
Cuttack (Rural), Jajpur, Kendrapara, Khordha, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Brahmapur, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Rourkela Police District
The figures expose a stark disparity in reporting, suggesting varying degrees of public awareness, confidence in law enforcement, and the efficiency of police response across districts.
Women’s rights activists and legal experts have called for enhanced patrolling, faster investigation, and sensitive handling of complaints to ensure safety for women in public spaces—particularly in districts like Balasore, where the problem remains significant and largely unresolved.
