School Buses To Be Parked Within Campus; State Orders WhatsApp Integration Of Panic Buttons After Safety Audit Review
School Buses To Be Parked Within Campus; State Orders WhatsApp Integration Of Panic Buttons After Safety Audit Review
Mumbai | March 4, 2026
A comprehensive review meeting on women’s safety in public transport was convened at the Vidhan Bhavan under the chairpersonship of Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The meeting focused on assessing the findings of a statewide safety audit and accelerating corrective measures.
The review was held against the backdrop of recent incidents in Badlapur and at Swargate bus station, prompting authorities to tighten monitoring and enforcement. Officials were directed to implement the audit recommendations within a defined timeframe to strengthen safety mechanisms across transport hubs.
The audit, conducted by voluntary organisations at 242 locations across Maharashtra, examined bus depots, railway stations and other public transport facilities. Key aspects reviewed included CCTV coverage, lighting, deployment of women police personnel, helpline services, panic buttons, grievance systems, sanitation facilities and dedicated ‘Hirakani’ rooms for women.
While several safety provisions are already in place, the audit identified shortcomings in execution. The panic button system, in particular, was found to be ineffective in certain locations. Dr Gorhe instructed departments to ensure that panic buttons are directly connected to police control rooms and official WhatsApp helplines to enable swift emergency response.
She also stressed preventive strategies such as specialised training for school bus drivers and staff, clear display boards indicating CCTV surveillance, awareness campaigns on panic button usage and mandatory parking of school buses within school premises.
The meeting proposed developing a dedicated mobile application to register and monitor women employed in the unorganised sector to enhance their safety. Authorities were also asked to regularly evaluate the functioning of One Stop Crisis Centres and ensure that affected women receive counselling and government scheme benefits without delay.
According to the Transport Department, CCTV systems have been installed at 633 locations, and security guards have been deployed at bus stations. Female attendants in school buses have been made compulsory, and plans are underway to mandate CCTV cameras, GPS tracking and panic button systems in all buses, integrated with the police network.
Police officials informed the meeting that patrolling has been intensified during school closing hours and that ‘Bharosa Cells’ are operational in police stations to support women and children.
Concluding the meeting, Dr Gorhe directed the appointment of women staff at every bus station, establishment of separate help centres, formation of vigilance committees for railway and state transport services, and regular inspection of sanitation facilities and Hirakani rooms. She further announced the formation of a dedicated women’s safety monitoring committee under her office to oversee the phased execution of the audit recommendations.
