Haryana unveiled a new women’s safety app on June 11, 2025, targeting urban areas to enhance protection through real-time alerts and GPS tracking. The app connects users to emergency services and police helplines, aiming to reduce response times. Launched by CM Nayab Singh Saini, it builds on existing initiatives like Durga Shakti, addressing rising concerns over women’s safety in cities.
Haryana’s New App Aims to Enhance Women’s Safety in Urban Centers
On June 11, 2025, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched a new women’s safety mobile application in Chandigarh, designed to strengthen security for women in urban areas. The app, developed under the Haryana Police’s ongoing efforts to curb crimes against women, integrates advanced features like real-time GPS tracking, instant alerts to emergency contacts, and direct connectivity to the state’s women’s helpline (1091). The initiative targets urban centers like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Karnal, where incidents of crime against women, including molestation and harassment, have raised concerns.
The app allows users to register their details, including an alternate contact number, to ensure swift police response in emergencies. By pressing a panic button, users can send their precise location to the nearest police station or women’s helpline, reducing response times significantly. Haryana Police claim the app’s interface is user-friendly, requiring minimal digital literacy, and is available on both Android and iOS platforms. The state plans to conduct awareness drives in schools, colleges, and residential areas to promote its adoption.
This launch builds on previous efforts, such as the Durga Shakti app, introduced in 2018, which gained over 200,000 users by 2021 and expanded to neighboring states like Punjab and Delhi. The new app incorporates lessons from past initiatives, offering enhanced features like automated ride monitoring for women using public transport or cabs, a feature inspired by the Haryana 112 platform’s “Safe Journey” initiative.
Haryana’s urban areas, home to 34.88% of the state’s population as per the 2011 Census, face unique safety challenges due to rapid urbanization and higher crime rates. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 data highlighted Haryana as one of India’s less safe states for women, with 3,954 cases of crimes against women reported in 2023, including 1,823 rape cases. Faridabad topped the state with 190 rape cases, while Karnal led in molestation incidents. These statistics underscore the urgency of tech-driven interventions like the new app.
The launch event saw participation from senior police officials, including DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor, who emphasized coordinated efforts with local transport unions to ensure safer public commuting. The app also aligns with Haryana’s broader women’s welfare initiatives, such as the 33 women’s police stations and the Namo Drone Didi program, which has trained 100 women to operate drones. To further bolster safety, the state plans to integrate the app with CCTV networks and urban patrolling systems under the “Safe City” pilot project, initially rolled out in Rohtak and Gurugram.
Women activists, including Dr. Jagmati Sangwan from Maharshi Dayanand University, welcomed the app but cautioned that technology alone cannot address deep-rooted issues like adverse sex ratios and societal attitudes. They urged the government to complement the app with behavioral change campaigns and stricter enforcement against offenders.
The app’s rollout includes plans for regular updates based on user feedback and potential expansion to rural areas if the urban phase proves successful. Haryana Police have also introduced a dedicated WhatsApp number to provide real-time updates and support for app users, ensuring continuous engagement.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information from web sources, including Times of India, Hindustan Times, and The Tribune, as well as trends on X. Data is accurate as of July 6, 2025, and subject to change. Readers are advised to verify details through official channels.