Thiruvananthapuram, May 25 (IANS): A safety app developed for Kerala Police has won an award for best use of mobile technology at the Elets Knowledge Exchange Awards 2015 in Goa.

The app iSafe - created by IT firm UST Global - was rolled out in March for Thiruvananthapuram city police and will soon be made available in other places.

A press release issued here on Monday by UST Global said iSafe was awarded for improving overall policing and public safety by empowering citizens using digital technology.

The app helps citizens maintain direct contact with police during emergencies.

With the push of a button on the phone, users get real-time police assistance while in danger or in a situation that requires immediate help.

Once police receive an alert, along with information on the user's location, the subscriber ID, and the mobile IMEI number, they dispatch help via the nearest police control room (PCR) vehicle.

"It has helped us considerably reduce our response time to emergencies and establish a stronger communication channel between the citizens and the police department," said Thiruvananthapuram Police Commissioner H. Venkatesh.

UST Global CEO Sajan Pillai said increased mobility, improved internet connectivity and the focus of the central government on digitization will further help grow the pace of e-governance.

He said the company recently signed up with the Madhya Pradesh government for digitizing over 300 urban local bodies.

Headquartered in California, UST Global is a leading provider of end-to-end IT services and solutions.

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha handed over the award to Manoj M. Mani of UST Global at the award function held recently in Goa.