Kozhikode: Now, autos come under surveillance

KOZHIKODE: In a first of its kind, the Kozhikode city police would introduce auto-rickshaws that ensure the safety of the passengers, especially women at night, with a panic button linked to its control room and the pink patrol vehicles. The rates on this autos would be normal like the other ones, and the police roped in 100 drivers for the unique project, said commissioner J. Jayanath. As a beginning, 20 will hit the streets on Monday, two of them with women drivers.

A view of the application

The initiative comes as a significant leap in women safety, at a time when celebrities are sexually assaulted on moving vehicles. Many expect this, along with the pink patrolling, as the cops moving a step ahead in the district to reduce incidents of attack and misbehaviour. At different boarding points, the bidding process is available through ‘Vehicle ST’ mobile application. “The panic button provided on the auto rickshaws would help the passenger alert the control room, in the case of any threat they face during the journey. The moment the button is on, an alert would be passed onto the pink patrol vehicle and control room, and the officers would track it,” said the commissioner.

 

Of the 100 drivers, trained for the special brigade, 20 would start work from tomorrow, and the rest will join soon, according to the need at each prominent points of the city. The service would be extended onto the outskirts of the city too, added Mr Jayanath. Once the driver changes the route, the passenger would be alerted. The passenger can pay the fare by swiping through ‘Vehicle ST’, a specially designed payment system. The same can be remitted through cash. The same Android app can also be downloaded for passenger usage.