Hyderabad: The Rishta app developed by Railways to help protect women was stopped from October 2016. The app was launched by Mr. Srivastava, General Manager of Railways, with much fanfare, but the euphoria couldn’t last long as the app developer and railways had some professional issues.
The Deputy Chief Security officer of Secunderabad, P.V.S. Shantaram, said, “The app developer promised to give it for free but at the last moment he asked for royalty while demanding more money. Now, we have raised the number of helpline staff for the toll free number 182. Any women facing an issues of eve-teasing can directly contact the number.”
Ms. Hima Bindu, a student of M.A., said, “Both parties should have an understanding of the business proposal. The developer should have been paid something for his skills.It is sad that such a big effort related to women never took off.”
If the app was developed, it would have been very useful for women. Action taken or not against the culprit is a secondary thing but the case would have been reported instantly. “Budget shouldn’t be a big problem for the railways. If not for this developer they would have been asked someone else,” said Ms Haritha B., a software engineer.
