2,947 bus marshals, 56 special buses for women: CM lists safety measures

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday that the Delhi Government has deployed 2,947 bus marshals on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and is operating 56 special buses for women as part of its safety measures. Of the 56 special buses, 15 operate during the evening shift, with armed women police personnel deployed on them after 5 pm, she said.

All buses are connected to the Bus Management System (BMS), with panic alarms, live CCTV feeds, and GPS monitored round the clock through a control centre, the chief minister said in a statement.

The Department of Women and Child Development will soon introduce additional accommodation facilities for working women in Vishwas Nagar and Rohini, she added. Highlighting measures to improve road safety and infrastructure, the chief minister said all buses are connected to the Bus Management System (BMS). The control centre monitors panic alarms, live CCTV feeds, and GPS round the clock.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) has installed 96,000 streetlights on roads, including 45,000 HPSV lights and 51,000 LED lights. The department has 2,53,983 CCTV cameras in operation. Citizens can also register complaints through the toll-free number 1908 and the PWD Seva Portal.

The Chief Minister said 11 One Stop Centres in Delhi assist women. Women’s Helpline 181 has been linked with Emergency Helpline 112, One Stop Centres, Child Helpline 1098, Shakti Sadan and protection officers to ensure coordinated assistance when needed.

In Delhi, Child Helpline 1098 is linked to Emergency Helpline 112, child care institutions, and District Child Protection Units. The city has 30 Government-run and 56 non-Governmental child care institutions. In addition, one after-care home for boys and one for girls are available.

She said Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards are functioning as statutory bodies to protect children’s rights. Eleven District Child Protection Units work to connect children in need with assistance, protection, and rehabilitation.

She also said that 15 women’s shelter homes are operational in Delhi. Keeping working women’s needs in mind, 14 working women’s hostels are available, with a combined capacity of 2,427.

Sub-Divisional Magistrates have been designated as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers to prevent child marriage, while schools have around 1.5 lakh CCTV cameras to improve children’s safety and confidence, she said.

The chief minister added that 1,397 schools are providing self-defence training under the Rani Lakshmibai Self-Defence Training Programme. She also highlighted the multi-layered safety network, including the Women’s Helpline 181, DTC services, and child-protection measures.