Become a Member Dark Mode Become a Member * Naukri Crisis * Uncovering Hate * Haryana Election * Manipur Conflict * Jammu and Kashmir Election * Climate Change * Members Only * WebQoof * My Report * More * Brand Studio * FIT * Gender * Opinion * Videos * Entertainment * Sports * World * Explainers * More * Podcasts * Politics * The Quint Lab * Graphic Novels * Law * Education * Members\' Opinion * South Asians * NEON Dark Mode Become a Member * Home * Naukri Crisis * Haryana Election * Uncovering Hate * About Us * T&C * Privacy Policy ## BECOME A MEMBER Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 FOLLOW US ON About UsContact UsPrivacy Policy ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD # Ludhiana’s Free Ride Scheme for Women Shared as Maha’s, Kolkata’s ## One of the numbers mentioned in the message is a pan-India number, while the other one is Ludhiana Police’s. Christie Syndor Updated: 09 Dec 2019, 12:49 PM IST WebQoof 5 min read ![\\"story-hero- img\\"](\\" af6f-8529bc3e8dc5%2FUntitled_design___2019_12_05T173919_137.png?rect=0%2C0%2C2000%2C1125&auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720\\") i Aa Aa Small Aa Medium Aa Large CLAIM A message is floating on Facebook with the claim that the newly formed government in Maharashtra has ordered the state police to provide free rides at night for women. The message states that the free ride scheme for women can be availed by calling on phone numbers 1091 and 7837018555. The message reads: “ New Govt. ordered for police. Maharashtra Police launched free ride scheme where any women who is alone & not able to find a vehicle to get home at nights between 10pm-6am can call the police helpline numbers (1091 and 7837018555) & request for a vehicle. They will work 24x7. The control room vehicle or nearby PCR vehicle/SHO vehicle will come & drop her safely to her destination. This will be done FREE of cost. Pass this message to everyone you know. Kindly save the number.(sic)” ![\\"One](\\"\\") A screenshot of the message circulated on Facebook. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook) ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD The Quint also got queries about a similar message, which is doing the rounds on social media with the claim that the Kolkata police has started the “free ride scheme.” This message too claims that the service will be available to women by calling on the phone numbers 1091 and 7837018555. ![\\"One](\\"\\") Screenshot of the message. (Photo Courtesy: WhatsApp) This message was also viral on Twitter. ![\\"One](\\"\\") Screenshot of the message shared on Twitter. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter) Meanwhile, on Twitter, some netizens shared the message without mentioning which state police they are referring to. The text insinuated that the scheme is available for women everywhere. ![\\"One](\\"\\") Screenshot of the message on Twitter.(Photo Courtesy: Twitter) Also Read ### Old Video of a Family Land Dispute Shared With a False Caste Angle ![\\"alsoRead-img\\"](\\"\\") TRUE OR FALSE? The claim that a free ride service for women, with the helpline numbers 1091 and 7837018555, has been launched by the Maharashtra Police and Kolkata Police, is misleading. According to an article published by The Tribune on Sunday, 1 December, the free ride scheme, with the helpline numbers 1091 and 7837018555, was initiated by Ludhiana Police in Punjab to prevent crime against women. Nagpur Police in Maharashtra, as well, has started a free drop service for women with one of the helpline numbers being 1091. 1091 is a pan-India number issued by the National Commission for Women for women in distress. WHAT WE FOUND OUT On doing a Google search using keywords “police helpline number 7837018555,” The Quint came across news reports which stated that the service was being provided by the Ludhiana Police to ensure safety of women travelling at night alone. As per an article published by The Tribune, the women in Ludhiana can call on helpline numbers, 1091 and 7837018555, and request for a vehicle to drop them home anytime between 10 pm-6 am on all days. “The nearby PCR vehicle or SHO vehicles will drop women at their destinations,” the article added. ![\\"One](\\"\\") Screenshot of the news article.(Photo Courtesy: The Tribune) “We have started many programmes to ensure safety and security of women in Ludhiana. We have two dedicated helpline numbers, 1091 and 7837018555, for women. These are open 24x7. Women can dial these numbers to get a free ride to home in Ludhiana,” said Commissioner of Police Rakesh Agrawal, The Tribune reported. Moreover, the Kolkata Police on 7 December took to their Facebook page to announce that the “free ride scheme” availed by calling 1091 and 7837018555 was not launched by them and that the message was “incorrect.” Regardless, they reiterated their pledge to provide immediate assistance to anyone in distress who dialed 100. > Incorrect message circulating in social media A message in the screenshot > below is circulating in social media since... > > Posted by Kolkata Police on Friday, December 6, 2019 The helpline number 1091 is a pan-India number issued by the National Commission for Women for women who need help. ![\\"One](\\"\\") As per the website, 1091 is a pan-India helpline for women.(Photo Courtesy: National Commission for Women/ Screengrab) Also Read ### BJP MP Mixes up Bajajs, Says Rahul Bajaj Owes Crores to UP Farmers ![\\"alsoRead-img\\"](\\"\\") ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD WOMEN SAFETY INITIATIVES TAKEN BY PUNJAB POLICE The police official further said that an app called Shakti app has been launched through which “women can get police help at the click of a button.” The Punjab Police too, took to Twitter and informed about the same. > Aimed at empowering people in unsafe situations or places, Shakti App > enables to report instantly by sending pictures to the Police Control Room. > To download the Shakti App, click: > pic.twitter.com/qE8rLwObvs > > — Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) December 3, 2019 Also, the Punjab government on Tuesday announced a state-wise police escort facility between 9 pm-6 am for women who travel late at night. The commuters can call on helpline numbers 100, 112 and 181 to avail the pick-and-drop facility. > Punjab Police gives free drop facility to women in > night > > — Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) December 4, 2019 WHAT ABOUT MAHARASHTRA POLICE? The Maharashtra Police on 29 November had tweeted that irrespective of the gender, citizens can call on the police emergency number 100 if they feel any threat to their security or are facing an emergency. > No matter what your gender, if you feel there\'s any threat to your security > or are in any emergency, please #Dial100, at any time, from any place.Please > don\'t feel hesitant to call us. We promise to try to help you at the > earliest. > > — Maharashtra Police (@DGPMaharashtra) November 29, 2019 Also Read ### Another Defunct Helpline No. For Women Safety Goes Viral ![\\"alsoRead-img\\"](\\"\\") In another initiative for the safety of women, Nagpur Police has also launched a free ride scheme for women which can be availed from 9 pm to 5 am. The female commuters can call on helpline numbers 100, 1091, 07122561103. > We are providing \"HOME-DROP\" facility for the Safety and Security of > Women:Any woman who is alone/stranded, with no means to go home, between 9pm > - 5am, would be safely escorted by us till her home, FREE of Cost.DIAL 100 > or 1091 or 07122561103.#NagpurPolice#AlwaysThere4U > > — Nagpur City Police (@NagpurPolice) December 4, 2019 While social media users claimed that the Maharashtra Police and Kolkata Police has launched a free ride for women from 10 pm-6 am with helpline numbers 1091 and 7837018555, these are actually Ludhiana police’s helpline numbers. Further, 1091 is a pan India number issued by National Commission for Women. ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD Also Read ### This Image is NOT of Hyderabad Rape Accused Killed in Encounter ![\\"alsoRead-img\\"](\\"\\") (Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on Whatsapp at 9643651818, or e-mail it to us at webqoof@thequint.com and we\'ll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.) (At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by **becoming a member** today.) ### Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and webqoof ### Topics: Maharashtra Women Safety Maharashtra Police Published: 05 Dec 2019, 6:44 PM IST Read Full Article Speaking truth to power requires allies like you. Become a Member Check Member Benefits Read More Loading Comments... 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Maharashtra and Kolkata police has launched a free ride scheme for women with helpine 1091 and 7837018555