In order to enhance the safety and security of women in the state, Bihar police has introduced a new initiative called “Safe Travel” under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). This program is focused on enhancing the safety of women travelling by road and will initially be implemented in six districts: Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Nalanda. By September 15, the initiative is expected to expand across the entire state.
With this move, Bihar becomes the third state in India, after Telangana and Haryana, to introduce a system that enables police to monitor women’s journeys both physically and digitally, ensuring they reach their destination safely.
The ERSS was previously launched as a national effort to provide immediate help in emergencies, offering citizens a unified emergency number: 112. This system combines police, fire, and health services into one, providing round-the-clock assistance across India.
Safe Travel functions allow women to call 112 before setting out on their journey, allowing the police to track their vehicle and stay in contact with them during the trip. The vehicle’s details are recorded, and women can share their live location with authorities. If communication is lost, an emergency response vehicle is sent to find them. Police stations along the travel route are notified, and officers maintain contact with the traveller, offering continuous support throughout the journey.
This initiative is especially timely as the state approaches the festive season, when women are expected to travel more frequently, particularly at night. In the wake of the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, there has been a heightened focus on ensuring women’s safety. This incident has spurred various states to implement robust safety measures and technological solutions to protect women. The Safe Travel program is one such step towards addressing these concerns and enhancing overall safety for women across the state.
