Foresee Any Threat To Railway Safety? Dial 182, A Now-GPS-Enabled Helpline

Indian Railways (IR) has upgraded its security helpline number 182 to increase passenger safety on board both local and outstation trains. The GPS-enabled helpline will help track and aid railway personnel to track the location of the complainant, while contacting the nearest authorities to handle the situation and to provide emergency services, reports Hindustan Times.

The tracking system is currently under testing and will inform police personnel, motorman, and guards on the trains, as well as the in-charge at the nearest police stations of complaints that need urgent attention.

“The CCTVs installed at railway stations have already been directed towards the women’s compartments, keeping the safety of women in mind. The GPS-enabled system will help the RPF control room curtail safety-related incidents to a great extent,” said AK Gupta, general manager, Western Railways.

Local trains have not been left out as the Western Railway plans to introduce a system to talkback along with CCTV cameras starting from installing them one train at a time on a trial basis, which is set to be carried out within the next three months.

The Railways also plans to use the system to help trace stolen and lost articles. Additionally, the Central Railways’ RPF also plans to launch a mobile application called ‘Rail Suraksha’ which will be integrated with the security helpline to help passengers.