India to get Very Own All-Encompassing Emergency Contact Number – 112

Taking a cue from several European countries and the United States of America, India shall soon have her own single number to deal with all kinds of emergencies. This number is 112.

For all those bad with numbers and memorizing them, from hereon there is just one that you need to remember – 112. As authorised by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), 112, deemed as the Indian equivalent to US’s 911, is an all-rounded emergency helpline.

This implies that in case of accidents or theft or murder, basically any sort of an emergency, all calls must be directed to 112. This is a toll-free number.

Photo source – http://indread.com/

The current standing numbers for emergencies, such as 100, 101, 102 and 108 shall still be operational, but they should be considered secondary go-to numbers. All calls dialed on the above four numbers shall be directed to 112.

The Central Control Room in Delhi will be dealing with all calls. Where the helpline is qualified to deal with about 10 lakh calls per day, there shall be a workforce of about 4,000, trained and equipped, to attend these calls. This is a major step forward, since a majority of the population in India has no knowledge of whom to call in case of emergencies. If just one number is advertised and put forth, throughout the country, as the sole emergency go-to, then many more victims shall be able to avail of help.

This number will not be city-oriented, but a national helpline. One of the main focus areas of this number is to deal with women in distress and accommodate all emergencies. This plan is being funded by the Nirbhaya Fund. TRAI should be able to track down the callers and their location, thus speeding up the process of help.

Photo source – Wikipedia

Additionally, there is also a discussion regarding panic buttons being installed in all public transport across India. However, the logistics of such a plan is extremely complicated. Having said this, with the crime rate being as alarming as it is, this is a notable step and must be taken seriously by the citizens, such that it is taken seriously by the government.

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