Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy virtually launched an app ‘Abhayam’ to safeguard women and children travelling by local transport across the state.
Abhayam project is a state-based IoT project that has been sanctioned by the Government of India under the Nirbhaya scheme. In this application, the vehicles are attached with IoT devices to track its movement and make sure no illicit acts take place, helps passengers travel around the city safely and securely.
Driver behaviour can be monitored through this device. The monitoring will be done through a dashboard from the command control centre. The project has been launched at Visakhapatnam with 1,000 auto-rickshaws possessing GPS enabled and IoT devices.
Before boarding the vehicle, the passenger will need to scan the QR code affixed on the vehicle. The details of the driver and the photo will be displayed on the application. Once boarded, the route will be geo-fenced upon selection of route among three possible routes by the passenger, and the trip details can be shared to the pre-selected Confidants.
If the passenger does not have a smartphone or any phone in hand, she can press the panic button in the IoT device fitted in the vehicle. Once alerted, the intimation will reach the command control centre, and officials from the nearest police station will be assigned.
As an immediate measure, the engine of the vehicle will come to a halt, and subsequently, an alarm will be raised. Police officials can then access the location of the vehicle and the driver’s details to take-action.
The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday finally kick-started Project Abhaya after a delay of more than three years.
The state government decided to install IoT devices in 1,000 autos in Visakhapatnam city on a pilot basis. He said the IoT devices would be installed in 5,000 vehicles by February 1, 50,000 by July 1 and one lakh by November 2021. The state government gave the project a new name, Abhayam, and did not make any mention about the Central contribution.
The Centre had in June 2017 released Rs 58.64 crore for the Project Abhaya, under which Internet of Things (IoT) devices were to be installed in autos and cabs for real-time tracking and monitoring and data communication for ensuring effective security and safety of women and girls.
The total project cost was estimated at Rs 138.49 crore, of which the Centres share was 60 per cent (Rs 83.09 crore), to cover one lakh autos across the state.
Further speaking during the launch, CM said that women’s safety and security has been given the state’s topmost priority.
