Must for public buses to have panic button, CCTV cameras, says Nitin Gadkari

The statement came at an event at Bikaner House in Delhi where Gadkari launched 20 such Rajasthan government buses. The 20 Mahila Gaurav Express buses that would run between Delhi and Rajasthan are part of a pilot project. The Rajasthan government plans to eventually bring over 2,300 more buses under the project’s ambit.

Besides Gadkari, Women and Child Development minister Maneka Gandhi and Rajasthan transport minister Yunus Khan were present at the launch event.

[related-post]

With half the funds for the project coming from the Centre, the first phase of Mahila Gaurav Express project will cover 2,382 buses while the second phase will cover all 4,500 buses of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation.

The panic button, when pressed, will send a signal to the Depot Chief Manager’s phone at Jaipur Control room with the coordinates of the vehicle and live video feed and also alert the nearest police control room.

The panic button is also connected to the government’s women’s helpline number. The camera would record trips and the footage will be stored for five years to facilitate investigation. Also, if a vehicle deviates from the scheduled route, the control room will receive its location, enabling it to track it, an official said.

Gadkari said the project will receive assistance from the Nirbhaya Fund.