Mobile App help to send Alerts to Railway Police (GRP)

Mobile App help to send Alerts to Railway Police (GRP)

Bhubaneswar (BBS): After launching a toll-free number for passengers, the government railway police (GRP) is gearing up to start a mobile application to check crimes in trains. Passengers can lodge complaints and send alerts to police about crimes in moving trains using the proposed App.

“Some IT experts have demonstrated the App software designed by them. Since most people use smartphones, the proposed App can be beneficial for them,” said a GRP officer.

After downloading the application, a passenger can register the complaint in writing or by uploading pictures or audio or video files. “It is aimed to improve passenger security and reach out to them at the time of distress. We can easily know the location of the complainant,” the officer said.

The GPS-based (global positioning satellite tracking system) App will provide contact details of GRP personnel of the area through which the train is passing.

The railway police said they are in touch with their counterparts in other states to implement the App in such a way that passengers, travelling through those states, can use the technology. “Initially, we will use the App in Odisha where passengers can avail assistance of the GRP. Efforts are being made to take the help of some other states to integrate the proposed App with their police stations,” the officer said.

Last month, Madhya Pradesh launched a mobile App to curb crimes in trains and stations. It is the only state to do so.

On February 16, the Odisha GRP launched a helpline (1512) for passengers, facing harassment from anti-socials in running trains. On dialing 1,512, the number would automatically connect to the railway police station or outpost, in whose jurisdiction the passenger is travelling.

In the past one year, about 120 incidents of drug and loot were reported in GRP stations across the state, official sources said. At least 20 persons were rescued by railway police and commissionerate of police personnel in separate drug-and-loot incidents in the last six months.

GRP sources said they arrested nearly 15 anti-socials on charges of looting passengers after spiking their drinks in the past one year.