Delhi buses get panic button mandated

Delhi government has already deployed bus marshalls in all DTC buses, and installed CCTVs in 200 DTC buses on pilot basis.

New Delhi: Delhi Government announced that all buses running in Delhi should have panic buttons by March 2019 in line initiated with a pilot project for equipping public buses with 'panic alarm system' to ensure safety of women passengers in five cluster buses of Rajghat-II depot. The project has been implemented in collaboration with Bangalore-based NGO Project Durga.

Delhi government has already deployed bus marshalls in all DTC buses, and installed CCTVs in 200 DTC buses on pilot basis.

As per the protocol of the system, upon hearing the alarm, the driver will take the bus to the left-most part of the road and bring it to stop. The conductor will be able to see exactly which location the alarm was pressed and intervene in the situation. If the situation cannot be addressed on the spot, the conductor will immediately call the Depot Manager, who will intimate PCR van, if necessary.

Kailash Gahlot, Delhi Transport Minister "By March 2019, we will be scaling up all these three initiatives to cover all DTC and Cluster buses thereby guaranteeing a safe and harassment-free bus ride for Delhi’s women”

“The panic alarm system will also be integrated with the bus GPS location, so that every time the alarm is pressed, the Depot Manager and Central Command Centre of cluster bus operations at DIMTS Kashmere Gate get an immediate alert” Kailash added.