A much-publicised plan by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to launch a women’s safety mobile application appears to have stalled indefinitely. The initiative, which was introduced in February last year, was intended to offer rapid emergency support to women experiencing street harassment or molestation. However, no progress has been observed since its announcement, and sources have indicated that the project is likely to be shelved.
The app was announced by then municipal commissioner I.S. Chahal during the presentation of the 2024–25 budget. It was envisioned as a collaborative effort by the BMC’s Planning and IT departments. The project had also aimed to involve the Mumbai Police, home guards, and select non-governmental organisations to ensure timely emergency response. Under the proposed system, women were to be provided with a digital platform to seek immediate help from authorities, with a dedicated control room planned to monitor incoming complaints and ensure inter-agency coordination. A portion of the ₹100 crore earmarked under the civic body’s gender budget had been allocated for the development of this app.
Despite these comprehensive plans, it has been revealed by officials in the IT department that no funds have yet been received. As a result, the initial phases of the project have not been initiated. It was also stated by internal sources that confusion exists over the app’s necessity, given the availability of a similar helpline already operated by the Mumbai Police. The lack of clarity regarding the unique features of the BMC’s proposed platform has raised further questions. Concerns have been voiced over whether a duplicate service would be a prudent use of public resources, especially in the absence of distinct functional advantages.
Although the project had been positioned as a step towards enhancing urban safety for women, its implementation has been hindered by bureaucratic and logistical obstacles. Until the funding is sanctioned and overlapping jurisdictional roles are resolved, the app’s future remains in limbo. With the original announcement now over a year old, and no tangible development having taken place, the initiative risks being reduced to a symbolic gesture unless decisive action is taken by the concerned departments.