Yogi govt to further strengthen Child Helpline 1098

Lucknow : In a major initiative to enhance the safety and protection of women and children, the Yogi government is set to significantly strengthen the Child Helpline 1098 and the Women and Child Helpline Desk.

As part of this plan, the state government will increase staffing at both district-level Child Helpline units and Women and Child Helpline control rooms. This includes expanding the presence of child help desks at key public transit locations such as railway and bus stations.

To address the growing number of distress calls, five additional call takers will be deployed at the Women and Child Helpline control room. This will ensure faster response times and immediate support for needy women and children.

Additionally, each district’s Child Protection Unit will receive three Multi-Tasking cum Security Staff, further enhancing on-ground safety mechanisms.

Currently operational at 23 railway stations, child help desks will soon be established at five more locations — Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Bulandshahr, and Ghaziabad — bringing the total to 28. At bus stations, the number of child help desks will increase from 4 to 11 in 2025–26, with new desks to be set up in Agra, Chandauli, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Varanasi.

This ambitious plan has received approval from the Government of India and is scheduled for implementation during 2025–26. By expanding outreach, improving response systems, and increasing awareness of child rights, the Yogi government aims to ensure that no child in Uttar Pradesh is left without timely assistance during a crisis.