Govt tourism app with emergency help, puja guide map
Times of India | 7 August 2025
Kolkata: The state tourism department plans to develop a new app, with intuitive navigation menus and SOS features, aimed at helping visitors to Bengal, international and domestic alike. An official said the app was expected to be launched ahead of Durga Puja, when the city is thronged by tourists. "This app will help users find hotels and other establishments. It will have an SOS feature, enabling tourists to quickly request emergency assistance from police, medical services and embassies for foreign tourists. An option of a ‘Panic Button' is being planned. Geo-tracking-based emergency response assistance is being worked on," said an official. "There will also be real-time alerts for natural disasters, strikes or route closures.
" The app will be compatible with different devices and screen sizes.
The official pointed out that Durga Puja would be a special feature with details, such as pandal locations, events, maps and essential services. "It will have GPS-enabled maps, showing locations of major pandals in Bengal. Pandal details, their theme descriptions, and even updates on crowds, traffic diversions, weather and emergency alerts, will be available.
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This tourist-centric app will also provide details on tourism destinations in Bengal as well as places to stay, like hotels, resorts, homestays, guest houses, along with their booking facilities, and food joints.