LUCKNOW, Sept. 29 -- Panic buttons installed across major intersections in the state capital under the Smart City project for women's safety are proving ineffective, as many remain hidden and unnoticed, a ground visit by HT revealed on Sunday.

Installed in traffic booths and behind hoardings, the panic buttons are hardly visible to commuters. At Hazratganj, one button was found behind a hoarding near a bank wall, partly covered by tree branches. At the 1090 intersection, a button was placed on a traffic booth, making it almost impossible to locate.

A traffic constable at the 1090 booth said the device often becomes dysfunctional and requires repair almost every week. He added that the buttons should be near pedestrian ramps for visibili...