Delhi launches single emergency helpline no. '112' for immediate help

On Wednesday, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy, launched a single emergency helpline number 112 for immediate assistance, officials reported. "With the implementation of the new Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), the police response time is reduced tremendously. In this new system, the call simultaneously passes to the Police Control Room (PCR) as well as to at least five people nearby through a mobile app. The main call centre has been set up at Shalimar Bagh," DCP (Operations and Communications) S K Singh said.

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Modern Devices Installed in Vans for Extensive Patrolling

The Delhi Police has also installed modern devices in 15 Scorpios for extensive patrolling in crime-prone areas of Delhi. The 'Prakhar' vans will be deployed at 15 crime-prone areas and then the number will be increased further as per the requirement, sources said. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik claimed that the project will expand the grievance redressal system and other civic agencies.

"Over the years, the Delhi Police has taken several steps such as identifying vulnerable spots, enhanced visibility, anti-snatching squads, all-women patrolling and the YUVA scheme, etc. resulting in a decline of over 20 per cent in street crimes," he said. "Prakhar vans were conceptualised under Safe City Project' to curb street crime. Prakhar vans are different from PCR vans as they carry more firepower and are equipped with modern technology. Initially, one van will be deployed in each district," Amulya Patnaik added.

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112 Deployed in Fourteen States and Union Territories

Officials had announced on February 14, 2019 that a single emergency helpline number '112' will be made available in fourteen states and Union Territories in India. The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) is an integration of police (100), fire (101), health (108) and women (1090) helpline numbers to provide emergency services through the single number '112'. A person can dial 112 from phone or press the  power button on their smartphone three times quickly to activate the panic call to Emergency Response Centre (ERC). In case of normal phone, a long press of '5 or '9' key on the phone will activate the panic call, a home ministry official said.     

(with PTI inputs)

Read: All-in-one Emergency Helpline Number '112' To Be Launched In 14 States And Union Territories

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