Bengaluru’s 50 new ‘Safety Islands’ offer immediate police access across the city

The Safe City project introduces tech-enabled emergency booths that offer instant police access, 360° surveillance and rapid response across high-risk zones.

In a major push to strengthen on-ground safety for women and vulnerable groups, Bengaluru city police have activated 50 advanced ‘safety islands’ under the Safe City project. The blue kiosk-style booths, placed in high-footfall and high-risk locations, act as instant emergency points that connect users directly to the police command centre without requiring a phone or mobile network.

According to project updates, the system, launched on June 30 last year, has already proven effective. The Command-and-Control Centre has handled 188 alerts from the booths so far, including several mobile theft-related incidents, reflecting growing public dependence on the service.

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The safety islands are now listed on Google Maps to help citizens easily locate the nearest booth. Each unit is equipped with a two-way audio system that enables real-time communication with police personnel monitoring the command room. A single press of the SOS button immediately activates an audio link, allowing officers to assess the situation live and dispatch Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) vehicles if needed.

To ensure full situational awareness, every safety island includes a set of surveillance tools: an AI-powered fixed camera and a Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera offering 360-degree coverage. The booths also feature public-announcement speakers, enabling the command centre to issue immediate instructions or guidance during emergencies or crowd-related situations.

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With integrated communication, live video feed and rapid police mobilisation, the safety islands represent a significant upgrade to Bengaluru’s urban safety network, aiming to provide accessible and reliable help at any hour.