Bhubaneswar: City police have revived two previously defunct mobile applications, reintroducing them on Wednesday with enhanced features. One app is designed to provide citizens with instant emergency assistance, while the other enables hoteliers to share guest occupancy details directly with the police.The revamped ‘We Care Saathi’ mobile application breathes new life into the earlier ‘Mo Saathi’ app launched in May 2015. “Mo Saathi became outdated and redundant. We have upgraded it with modern technology and additional features so that citizens in distress can receive immediate police assistance. It has now been renamed ‘We Care Saathi’ and is integrated with the emergency response support system or the dial-112 helpline,” said police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh.Although the app is a comprehensive safety tool for all, the commissionerate police have specifically urged women to download and use it. Officials emphasised that the initiative strengthens Bhubaneswar’s security infrastructure.Key features of the SOS app include real-time location sharing, instant photo uploads and video streaming. “With a single tap, a user’s GPS coordinates are transmitted to the police control room and pre-selected emergency contacts. Citizens can quickly capture and upload photos of perpetrators, vehicles or suspicious surroundings, which are instantly sent to the police server. Short video clips can also be recorded and shared, providing crucial context and evidence for law enforcement,” Singh explained.The second application, Sarai 2.0, replaces the earlier Sarai app, which, according to Singh, was cumbersome. “The new Sarai 2.0 makes hotel reporting more convenient and user-friendly. It establishes a seamless, digital and secure connection between accommodation providers and police, eliminating outdated manual paperwork and ensuring real-time compliance with regulations,” Singh said.Sarai 2.0 acts as a centralised digital bridge between hospitality operators, including hotels, lodges, guest houses and homestays, and the police department.Accommodation providers can now submit guest details instantly upon check-in, ensuring strict adherence to Sarai Act norms. Information is transmitted in real time to the commissionerate police, giving authorities immediate situational awareness. “Police officials have access to a secure dashboard to monitor submissions, conduct advanced searches and manage digital records efficiently,” the police commissioner said.
