The Delhi Police on Wednesday launched WhatsApp and Hike groups of its women safety app — Himmat. WhatsApp group is also available on 8800001091. Women can now share photos and other details of the taxi or auto they are boarding on these groups. The details sent on the WhatsApp group will be preserved in the police control room (PCR) for at least a week.
Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said: “The app has been launched to reinforce the commitment of the Delhi Police towards the safety of women.” “The launch of Himmat WhatsApp and Hike groups will boost self-confidence among women to travel anytime in Delhi,” Bassi said.
He said that women will have to add the WhatsApp number on their Android phone and fill a short form with the details and photograph of the vehicle they will be boarding, along with the registration number, their name and boarding location. “Women can also send distress messages on the WhatsApp number if required,” said Bassi.
“The app is also integrated with the PA-100 system such that in case of an emergency reported on the group, the nearest PCR (Police Control Room) MPV (Mobile Patrolling Vehicle) will be rushed to the spot,” he added.
Himmat was launched on Jan 1, 2015 and is only available for Android users. Delhi Police, however, is working towards launching the app on Apple store and making it available to non-smartphone users as well.
More than 30,000 women have downloaded the app which let’s women send SOS signals to alert Delhi Police control room. However, only 2 genuine SOS has been generated till now. A woman complained of domestic violence in Delhi and a teenaged girl from Karnal raised SOS.