‘Nidar Nari’: Bihar Launches GPS-Tracking Initiative for Women’s Safety with Dial-112 Service

Patna: Bihar has become the third state in India to introduce GPS tracking for women’s safety through the Dial-112 service. Following the footsteps of Haryana and Telangana, the state launched the Nidar Nari initiative, allowing police to track and monitor women in real-time during their travels. This system aims to provide immediate assistance to women who seek help by calling Dial-112.

The service has already been rolled out in major districts including Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Muzaffarpur, with plans to expand it statewide by September 15. Women in these districts can now benefit from 24/7 GPS tracking services when in need of assistance.

Bihar’s Dial-112 officials drew insights from the effective implementation of similar models in Haryana and Telangana. According to NK Azad, ADG of Dial-112, “Bihar faces a higher volume of complaints compared to Haryana and Telangana. In the last two years, Dial-112 has assisted over 20 lakh people, with 90% of feedback being positive.”

He further elaborated, “After studying the success rates and rapid response times in these states, we tailored the model to fit Bihar’s specific needs. With the new Mahila Yatra Suraksha service, we expect call volumes to increase by over 50%.”

दिनांक 05.09.2024 को पटना स्थित #ERSS के कमांड एंड कंट्रोल सेंटर में पुलिस महानिदेशक, बिहार श्री आलोक राज ने #Dial112 में जुड़ी नई सेवा ‘सुरक्षित सफर सुविधा’ का किया शुभारंभ…(1/2)
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.#travelsafe #WomenSafety #HainTaiyarHum #Bihar pic.twitter.com/Lk9h5SvDLv

— Bihar Police (@bihar_police) September 5, 2024

Bihar’s implementation of Dial-112 for women’s safety is set to stand out due to the scale of operations. Officials noted that the state already handles more calls than most, with 76,000 calls reaching the control room daily. On average, around 6,000 people receive help through the system each day.

Dial-112 ADG NK Azad emphasized, “Police will be fully active in ensuring the safety of women seeking help. We will remain in contact with the caller, making regular check-ins every 10 minutes until the woman safely reaches her destination.”

The command control center for the Dial-112 service has been established in Patna, where officers work in six-hour shifts to monitor calls and GPS locations. More than 100 call-attending channels have been set up to ensure no call goes unanswered, even during peak times.

ADG Azad explained that women seeking help would be tracked using a three-layer monitoring system, with the police remaining in touch throughout the journey. “If there’s any indication of distress, the police will immediately dispatch a team to assist,” he added.

The Dial-112 service in Bihar is backed by substantial resources, with 1,833 vehicles and 26,000 police personnel deployed across the state. Although the system has been operational for two years, the new women’s safety initiative adds an extra layer of security.

“We are constantly working to strengthen the force. New recruitments are underway, and as we expand, the security circle will grow,” ADG Azad stated. In the meantime, district police will also assist the Dial-112 force as needed.

Bihar’s model closely mirrors those of Haryana and Telangana, but officials are confident that Bihar’s system will surpass them in effectiveness. The state expects to see an increase in calls, and the team is ready to handle the demand. “This service is designed to be a game-changer for women’s safety in Bihar,” Azad concluded.

The initiative aims to ensure that women traveling within the state feel secure and receive assistance at the press of a button, marking a significant step forward in addressing concerns around women’s safety.