Bidhannagar police starts new app to help elderly

Kolkata: With rising number of crime cases in the Bidhannagar area, especially against the elderly, the Bidhannagar police commissionerate has released a new app for local residents to help them in distress.

Called ‘Bipad Sathi’, the app is available for downloads on Android and iOS platforms. It opens with a map and three options in the bottom-half — Nearby Help, Track Me Live and Report a Crime, a senior official of Bidhannagar police said. It also has an SOS button under the ‘Nearby Help’ section. The feature also works by pressing the volume key of headphones thrice.

“This app has been developed keeping in mind the elderly citizens living in the Bidhannagar area. The app also has the facility to add phone numbers of five persons who can be contacted in case of an emergency. Pressing the SOS button will send text messages to them as well as the local police station under the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate limits,” the official said.The police, from any of the 10 police stations in the area, would immediately send GPS-enabled vehicles to help the person in distress, he added.

Elaborating on the other features of the app, the officer said, “The Track Me Live option, when activated, will help the police track the person using GPS, and if required reach the spot within five to 10 minutes.” Another feature in the app ‘Report a Crime’ would help one to record a crime and upload it on to the app and refer it to the police for necessary action, the official said. It would also help in seeking assistance from fire stations.