Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday inaugurated GPS-based vehicle tracking software for the safety of women bus passengers in the state.

“The government also launched a command and control centre along with the vehicle tracking platform to enhance safety measures. Panic buttons will also be installed in passenger buses and school buses. The scheme aims to protect women and students travelling on buses,” said a senior official in the chief minister’s secretariat.

“In the event of any untoward incidents on the bus, pressing the panic button will immediately notify the control room and the emergency response support system of the state, i.e., Dial 112 services. This feature will provide real-time information such as the location and speed of the buses,” the source added.

Along with curbing driver misconduct, the implementation of panic buttons is expected to reduce the likelihood of any untoward incidents related to women and students. The GPS control room for this system has been established at the Dial 112 office at Raipur, ensuring efficient monitoring and response.

“The state government has made the decision to install GPS systems and panic buttons in private buses, allowing passengers to access real-time information about the bus’s whereabouts,” said commissioner transport department, Chhattisgarh, Dipanshu Kabra.

The department on Wednesday announced that the installation of panic buttons and GPS in buses will greatly assist the public in dealing with potential dangers and untoward incidents.

As of now, Chhattisgarh has around 12,000 passenger buses owned by private owners, covering various routes across the state.

Additionally, approximately 6,000 private school buses are in operation for carrying school and college students.

The implementation of panic buttons and GPS will provide instant information about the buses, ensuring improved safety and convenience for passengers.

The transport department also announced that the new system will include mapping the routes of school buses. This feature will enable the automatic alert mode if a school bus deviates from its prescribed route, ensuring the safety of children. The control room will have a team of employees who will be assigned to each shift, responsible for monitoring all buses and promptly informing the police department in case of emergencies.

“Passengers travelling on buses in the state will now have an additional safety measure with the installation of panic buttons. In the event of an accident or any issues, passengers can press the panic button, immediately notifying both the police control room and the transport control room. The staff of the nearest police station will then swiftly respond and provide assistance to the affected passengers,” the transport commissioner further said.