BENGALURU:

will begin real-time monitoring of

in 1,000 buses to ensure the

.

At present, nearly 600 buses have CCTV cameras but there is no real-time monitoring feature, so the

only after untoward incidents occur.

BMTC officials said they have sought Rs 6.8 crore under the Nirbhaya fund to facilitate real-time monitoring as a preventive measure. The new feature will help BMTC communicate with bus crew from its central office in Shanthinagar based on live visuals, and accordingly take pro-active measures. It is expected to

by bus staff or fellow passengers and curb pickpocketing.

BMTC’s 6,240 buses will have CCTV cameras in a phased manner. “They will be used to monitor the crew’s behaviour. For instance, there are several complaints against some conductors for not issuing tickets to passengers. It will also help us in crowd management, especially during peak hours,” said a senior BMTC official. He said the woman-safety feature will soon be incorporated into the existing BMTC app.

“There have been several instances of misbehaviour in buses, but only a few passengers register complaints as most are in a hurry to reach their destination and don’t find time to follow it up. BMTC should take proactive steps to ensure such miscreants are punished,” said S Sahana, a commuter from Ulsoor.

Alarms in BMTC buses

Durga India, an NGO, recently installed alarms in 50 BMTC buses. A passenger can activate the alarm during an emergency by pressing the button.