Dinesh Kamath's news 'Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate initiates Women Safety Week in Public Transport' that was published in Newsband

Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate initiates Women Safety Week in Public Transport

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: To ensure safety for women in public transport, the Navi Mumbai Police commisionerate organized the first week long seminar “Women Safety in Public Transport” for the drivers and conductors of the NMMT buses at the Turbhe Depot on 3rd October, 2016. The seminar will end on Sunday 9th October, 2016.

“Taking insight of the Nirbhaya case, we plan to train the drivers and conductors on how to handle such situations and also equip them with various techniques of safety measures,” said Shri Hemant Nagrale, Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai.

Mr. Khamkar Chandrasekar, CAFO, NMMC said, “Programmes like these are the need of the hour, especially when we hear of cases of eve teasing in public transport. I am thankful to the police department for taking such an initiative to teach our drivers and conductors the safety measures. Our Municipal Commissioner Shri. Tukaram Munde is very serious about the safety of women and children in the city especially in the public transport and under his and Shri Shirish Aradwad, GM, NMMT’s able guidance we plan to have GPS and CCTV in all the NMMT buses”.

Presently, NMMT has a total of 360 buses. Of these, 70 buses have been installed with CCTV.

“As crimes against women are increasing, we have started this initiative to enable women to feel safe while commuting in public transport” said Shri. Dilip Sawant, DCP (Crime).

“The above program is being conducted by Smt. Sangeeta Alphonso, Sr. Police Inspector, Women Assistance Cell. We plan to go to different schools and colleges to spread awareness of various ways of how women can ensure safety” said Shri. Nitin Kausidikar, ACP (Crime).

“Along with educating drivers and conductors, we have also launched the Pratisaad (response) Mobile App for Andriod and IOS which will ensure that cops reach a woman in distress in seven minutes or less. Women will first have to download the app and register. Each account will be verified by the police and the user will have to keep their phone’s GPS switched on while using the app. A woman in distress can click on the emergency icon in the app and cops will reach her in less than seven minutes. At least ten police officials from the local police station will be notified of her distress call,” said Sangeeta Alphonso, heading the Women Assistance Cell.

“This initiative by the Women Assistance Cell is commendable and we would be promoting this through STREE & PACT - the projects of Heart Foundation to various schools and colleges,” said Dr. Jayakar Ellis, President of Heart Foundation.   

“A Seminar is being conducted for seven days to train the drivers and conductors to increase awareness of Women safety on Public Transport. The programme is being conducted at Turbhe Bus Depo. Total 2000 Drivers and Conductors will be trained - an initiative of Navi Mumbai police for Women Safety,” said Hemant Nagrale, CP Navi Mumbai.