'Panic' button, app in mobiles for women's safety soon

The next time a woman or any other vulnerable group is in distress, they can seek help using a 'panic' button and an application on their mobile phones.
An ambitious scheme in this regard that conceptualised after the 2012 Delhi gangrape case will be completed in the next nine months in 114 cities at a cost of Rs 321.69 crore. Funds for the scheme will be derived from 'Nirbhaya Fund'.
Under the scheme, a 24x7 Emergency Response (ER) unit will be able to track the persons in distress using the Geographical Positioning System (GPS) or Geographical Information System (GIS).
"Distress or emergency alarms generated by panic buttons; landlines or mobiles through individual devices pioneered by the Department of Information Technology (DIT) or mobile phone applications would be tracked and ER units will be dispatched to attend the call," an official statement said here today.

This, at a later stage can subsequently be migrated to a single central Emergency Response number. Many countries including the United States, Europe and Russia have dedicated emergency response numbers to provide assistance to their citizens.
While those with smart phones can download the mobile application, new models of basic phones are expected to come equipped with a 'panic' button.

The Emergency Response number is under consultation process of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
The Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) platform will provide 24X7 helpline service to women in distress and an efficient and effective response system to attend to their calls as well as for alarms related to other emergency services such as medical and disasters like fire mishaps by otherresponders in an integrated manner.

"This is an emergency response system for women and other vulnerable groups who may face violence. The GIS based call taking and GPS based Police vehicle dispatch system will be able to respond to distress calls and ensure speedy assistance to women," the note said.