Karnataka will be the first state in the country to provide panic buttons on its state transport buses.
The other features include CCTV cameras and GPS units, which will be installed on more than 2000 buses to ensure passengers get a sense of security travelling on state-owned buses.
“The panic button will alert the central control room in the satellite bus stand, which helps the control room staff alert the nearest police station for action,” said Rajender Kumar Kataria, MD, KSRTC.
In the past, there have been several instances of misbehaviour against women in the state-run buses. Keeping this in mind the government, KSRTC sent a 21-page proposal to the Centre and Under the Nirbhaya Act, KSRTC has sought Rs 61.32 crore for enhancing safety features in the buses. The proposal also demanded funds for providing exclusive lounges for women at bus stations.
This move by KSRTC comes in the wake of central government mandating panic buttons on all mobile phones and KSRTC has been hailed for initiating such a service.
