Kolkata has once again emerged as India's safest metro city, recording the lowest rate of cognisable offences per lakh population among 19 Indian cities with populations exceeding 20 lakh, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 report. This achievement comes despite the city witnessing widespread protests following the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case, one of Bengal's most disturbing incidents in 2024.
Kolkata's Crime Rate Remains Lowest Among Metros
The NCRB report showed that Kolkata registered a cognisable offence rate of 93.7 per lakh population in 2024. Although this figure was higher than the 83.9 recorded in 2023, it remained substantially lower than other metropolitan cities. Pune ranked second with 367.5 offences per lakh, followed by Coimbatore at 369.2 and Mumbai at 380.4. The national average for the 19 metro cities stood at 737.4, significantly higher than Kolkata's rate.
Kolkata has now maintained its top safety ranking for five consecutive years. The city's long-term trend shows a steady decline: from 159.6 per lakh in 2016 to 103.5 in 2021, 86.5 in 2022, and 83.9 in 2023. The total cognisable cases in 2024 were 13,219, compared with 11,843 in 2023 and 12,213 in 2022.
Factors Behind Kolkata's Low Crime Rate
Senior police officials attributed the city's performance to stronger surveillance infrastructure, increased night patrolling, technological integration, and more efficient law enforcement. Upgrades in CCTV surveillance, data-based crime monitoring, and better coordination among police units have helped reduce criminal activity in sensitive zones.
Officers also highlighted the role of citizen cooperation and awareness campaigns. Regular monitoring of vulnerable areas and deployment of patrol teams in high-footfall locations contributed to fewer violent crimes and street offences.
RG Kar Case and Public Perception
The NCRB findings come amid ongoing public debate. The RG Kar case triggered weeks of protests, drawing national attention to women's safety and institutional accountability. Critics argue that the rankings, based on registered offences, may not capture public perception of safety. However, police maintain that isolated incidents do not alter the overall crime profile when measured against national averages.
Comparison with Other Metro Cities
Delhi recorded the highest cognisable offence rate at 1,824.5 per lakh, followed by Lucknow (1,083.1) and Kochi (1,015.9). Pune's rate was nearly four times Kolkata's figure. In 2023, Kochi had the worst rate at 3,192.4, while Delhi and Surat also fared poorly.
Violent Crimes Remain Relatively Low
Kolkata reported 12 rape cases in 2024, up from 10 in 2023, but far lower than Delhi's 10,568 and Mumbai's 411. The city also reported 29 rioting cases, lower than Mumbai's 153, Bengaluru's 58, and Nagpur's 60. Murders in 2023 were 43, down from 45 in 2021 and 53 in 2020. Crimes against women declined to 1,746 cases in 2023 from 1,890 in 2022, with a rate of 25.7 per lakh, among the lowest nationally.
Technology and Policing Strategies
Senior police officers credited the city's ranking to extensive use of technology, including improved data analysis and crime tracking tools. Digitisation enabled quicker identification of repeat offenders and faster response to complaints. The state government reiterated its 'zero tolerance' approach, citing NCRB figures as evidence of Kolkata's safety despite criticism over isolated incidents.
Conclusion: Statistical Safety vs. Public Concerns
Kolkata's continued dominance in NCRB rankings highlights the gap between statistics and public perception. While the city remains statistically safer than its counterparts, the RG Kar incident exposed deep anxieties over women's safety and institutional accountability. The report serves as both an endorsement of long-term crime reduction and a challenge to address public demands for stronger accountability.
