WomenSafety – Delhi Introduces Women Police Deployment on Ladies Special Buses

WomenSafety –  Delhi is set to strengthen safety measures for women travelling on public transport, with women police personnel soon to be stationed inside selected Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) Ladies Special buses operating on identified routes across the city. The move is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving passenger security and ensuring a safer commuting environment for women.

Decision Taken at High-Level Security Meeting

The decision was finalised during a review meeting chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Senior representatives from the Delhi Police, including the Commissioner of Police, along with officials from the Transport Department and the Secretary (Transport), participated in the discussions focused on women’s safety in public transport.

Officials informed the meeting that DTC had already carried out an initial assessment to identify routes where a large number of women regularly travel and where safety concerns are comparatively higher. Based on this assessment, Delhi Police has been requested to deploy women police personnel on Ladies Special buses, particularly during peak travel hours in the morning and evening.

Focus on Vulnerable Routes Across Outer Delhi

According to officials, the first phase of the initiative will cover routes connecting distant parts of Outer Delhi, where women commuters often face longer travel durations. The buses selected under this programme will be operated entirely by women staff, in line with directions issued by the Lieutenant Governor.

The presence of women police personnel onboard is expected to discourage harassment, prevent unauthorised entry into buses reserved for women, and provide immediate assistance to passengers if required. Authorities believe that visible security arrangements can significantly improve confidence among women using public transport services.

Additional Support Through Women Home Guards

During the meeting, the Commissioner of Police assured the administration that Delhi Police would make the required female personnel available for deployment. It was also suggested that women Home Guard Marshals could be assigned alongside police staff to strengthen security arrangements and provide additional support during operations.

Officials said the combined presence of women police officers and trained marshals would help create a more secure atmosphere, especially on routes that witness heavy passenger movement during rush hours.

Lieutenant Governor Calls for Zero-Tolerance Approach

Expressing serious concern over incidents affecting women’s safety, the Lieutenant Governor directed all departments to treat the issue as a top priority. He stressed that the security of women should never be compromised and called for a strict, zero-tolerance policy against misconduct and harassment.

The Lieutenant Governor further instructed authorities to implement visible and effective measures on the ground rather than relying solely on policy announcements. He emphasised that public confidence can only be strengthened through practical action and consistent enforcement.

Panic Button System to Be Linked With Police Emergency Network

A major technology-related decision was also approved during the meeting. Authorities decided to integrate panic button alerts installed in buses directly with the Delhi Police emergency response system operating through the 112 helpline.

Officials said the integration will allow emergency alerts generated from buses to reach police control rooms instantly. This direct communication channel is expected to reduce response time and enable faster intervention whenever passengers require assistance.

The upgraded system is designed to improve coordination between transport authorities and law enforcement agencies, ensuring a more efficient response mechanism for women facing emergencies while travelling.

Dedicated Women Police Stations Near Rollout

The Commissioner of Police also informed the Lieutenant Governor that preparations for specialised women police stations are nearing completion. These stations will exclusively handle complaints and crimes related to women and children.

According to officials, the first such police station is ready and is expected to become operational soon. The initiative is intended to provide a dedicated platform for addressing sensitive cases while improving access to support and justice for victims.