How Women’s Safety Is Just a Call Away in Haryana

Women’s safety while traveling alone, especially at night, has always been a critical concern. Recognizing the need for enhanced security, Haryana Police has introduced a groundbreaking initiative under its Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). This new service aims to provide real-time protection for women traveling solo, ensuring they remain in constant contact with police during their journey.Real Time Location Sharing for SafetyThe key feature of this initiative is the option for women to dial ‘112’ and share their live location via WhatsApp with the police control room. Once registered, the police can monitor the traveler’s journey in real-time, ensuring assistance is readily available if needed. By sharing their travel details, such as name, mobile number, and route, women can feel more secure knowing they are not alone.Additionally, women have the option to stay on a continuous call with police personnel until they safely reach their destination. This constant communication provides reassurance and a sense of safety, especially during late-night journeys when vulnerability is higher.How the System WorksTo use this service, women simply dial '112', provide essential travel details like departure and arrival points, and expected travel time. The police then track their movements in real time, maintaining contact until they confirm the individual has reached their destination safely.This initiative is integrated with existing emergency systems, including police, fire, and health departments, making it possible for the nearest available response team to reach a person in distress quickly. The system’s efficiency is further boosted by its ability to track emergency vehicles and direct them to the caller’s location.In addition to live tracking, women can activate an SOS alert with a simple action: pressing the power button on their phone three times or long-pressing the ‘5’ or ‘9’ keys on feature phones. These quick actions immediately alert the authorities, allowing them to respond to emergencies with speed.Alternatively, women can use the ‘112 India Mobile App’ or send an email to the State Emergency Response Centre to seek assistance. These multiple access points ensure that help is always a few taps away, regardless of the type of phone or communication method available.Source: Google ImagesHaryana’s Director General of Police, Shatrujeet Kapur, emphasized the impact of these services during a recent review meeting. Since the ‘Dial 112’ project launched in July 2021, average response times have dropped from over 16 minutes to just 7 minutes. This sharp reduction allows police teams to reach women in distress much faster, significantly improving their chances of receiving timely assistance.Kapur also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the system, including trip-monitoring services, databases for auto-rickshaws and working women, and continued evaluation of the system’s effectiveness. This initiative is a major step toward making women feel safer while traveling, especially during late hours. By integrating modern technology with existing emergency response systems, Haryana Police is taking proactive measures to protect women, offering both real-time support and faster response times.