UPSRTC runs a dedicated women’s safety helpline called Damini (call or WhatsApp 81142-77777) under its Nirbhaya Yojana initiative, alongside a state-wide rollout of in-bus panic buttons and GPS tracking covering thousands of buses, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund. These measures are designed to give women passengers a direct, fast way to reach help during a journey, and to give control rooms real-time visibility into where a bus is and what is happening on board. Here’s how each safety feature works.
Quick Facts
| Damini Helpline | 81142-77777 — call or WhatsApp for women’s safety complaints and assistance |
| Helpline Program | Launched as part of UPSRTC’s Nirbhaya Yojana women’s safety initiative |
| Panic Buttons | At least 10 per bus at accessible locations, part of a rollout covering thousands of UPSRTC buses |
| Panic Button Response | Transmits bus location, driver info, and passenger details to Dial 112 and a dedicated UPSRTC control room |
| GPS Tracking | Installed alongside panic buttons for real-time bus location tracking |
| Funding Source | Nirbhaya Fund, a central government fund dedicated to women’s safety projects |
The Damini Helpline: Direct Support for Women Passengers
UPSRTC’s Damini helpline gives women passengers a dedicated channel to report safety concerns while travelling, either by calling or messaging on WhatsApp at 81142-77777. The service was introduced as an extension of UPSRTC’s broader Nirbhaya Yojana programme, which focuses specifically on women’s safety across the corporation’s bus network. Being reachable over both a phone call and WhatsApp makes it easier for a passenger to discreetly report an issue, even in a situation where speaking aloud on a call isn’t practical.
Panic Buttons: How They Work on Board
As part of a state-wide safety upgrade, UPSRTC buses are being fitted with panic buttons — at least 10 per bus, placed at accessible locations throughout the vehicle. When pressed, a panic button transmits the bus’s live location along with driver and passenger information to two destinations at once: the state’s Dial 112 emergency response system, and a dedicated control room at UPSRTC headquarters. From there, control room staff coordinate with local police to arrange help for passengers on board.
The rollout covers a large share of UPSRTC’s fleet, reflecting the scale of the state’s bus network, and was implemented in partnership with a specialist technology provider to integrate the buttons with the emergency-response backend.
GPS Tracking Alongside Panic Buttons
GPS installation runs alongside the panic-button rollout, giving both the control room and, where available through UPSRTC’s tracking tools, passengers themselves a way to see a bus’s real-time location. Beyond safety response, this also helps with general journey planning, since a tracked bus’s live position can indicate expected arrival timing at a stop.
Funding: The Nirbhaya Fund Connection
The panic-button and GPS safety upgrade is funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, a central government fund set up specifically to finance initiatives that improve women’s safety in public spaces, including public transport. Routing this project through the Nirbhaya Fund reflects its core purpose: giving women passengers a faster, more reliable way to get help if they feel unsafe while travelling.
What to Do If You Feel Unsafe on a UPSRTC Bus
- Use the in-bus panic button if one is fitted on your bus, to alert both Dial 112 and the UPSRTC control room immediately.
- Call or WhatsApp the Damini helpline at 81142-77777 to report an incident or safety concern.
- Note your bus details — route, bus number, and approximate location — since this speeds up how quickly help can be coordinated.
- Inform the conductor or driver where safe to do so, as an additional first point of contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSRTC Damini helpline number?
The Damini helpline number is 81142-77777, reachable by both phone call and WhatsApp for reporting safety concerns.
Do UPSRTC buses have panic buttons?
Yes. UPSRTC buses are being fitted with at least 10 panic buttons each at accessible locations, connected to Dial 112 and a dedicated UPSRTC control room.
What happens when someone presses the panic button on a UPSRTC bus?
The panic button sends the bus’s live location, driver details, and passenger information to Dial 112 and a dedicated UPSRTC control room, which coordinates with local police to arrange assistance.
Are UPSRTC buses fitted with GPS tracking?
Yes, GPS tracking is being installed alongside the panic-button rollout to give real-time visibility into a bus’s location.
Who funds UPSRTC’s women’s safety technology upgrade?
The initiative is funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, a central government fund dedicated to improving women’s safety in public spaces including transport.
Related UPSRTC Guides
- UPSRTC Bus Enquiry Number
- UPSRTC Fare Concessions & Free Travel Guide
- UPSRTC Bus Charter & Hire Service
