Panic buttons in buses lie idle for lack of response centres: Parliamentary panel
NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has flagged a significant gap in the implementation of emergency panic buttons in public buses across India. Despite being mandated as a safety measure for women passengers following the 2012 Nirbhaya case, these buttons remain largely non-functional due to the absence of dedicated centres to receive and act on alerts.
The parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, chaired by JDU MP Sanjay Jha, noted that while the emergency switches cost only Rs 15-20 each, bus operators are still required to pay Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000 per vehicle to have them tested during mandatory fitness checks. This financial burden, coupled with the lack of response infrastructure, has made the system ineffective in practice.
The committee's report, tabled in Parliament, stated that the road transport ministry informed members that in several states, the panic button system had been integrated with the central emergency response number 112. However, the ministry also acknowledged numerous instances of false alarms, which prompted some states to 'disengage' the system entirely.
According to the report, the ministry expressed a desire to see the system restored, while bus operators have voiced a contrasting view, suggesting that it should be dispensed with altogether. The divergence in perspectives underscores the operational challenges faced in making the safety feature workable.
A committee member observed that if the system was not effective, it was unreasonable to impose substantial testing charges on operators. The member also raised the question of why CCTV cameras could not be installed as an alternative or complementary safety measure. In response, the ministry stated that cameras are being made mandatory in new buses.
The committee has recommended that the programme to install emergency buttons, call facilities, and vehicle location tracking devices in public transport vehicles be pursued more vigorously. It specifically urged that efforts extend beyond the 16 states that have already made progress, to ensure a uniform and effective safety net for women commuters nationwide.
The findings highlight a broader issue of infrastructure readiness, where mandates often outpace the creation of supporting systems. For safety measures to be truly effective, they require not only installation but also seamless integration with response mechanisms and regular maintenance protocols. The committee's recommendations aim to address these gaps and ensure that the promise of safety for women in public transport is fulfilled.
