Telecom Commission has approved proposal to have a single number for various emergency services, which would be similar to the '911' all-in-one emergency service in the US. With this nod, people will soon have to dial just a single-number '112' for help during emergency situations. Media reports said that all existing emergency numbers will be phased out within a year of rolling out 112, depending upon the awareness about this new facility.
In India, different emergency communication and response systems are in place. Currently, people need to dial 100 for police, 101 for fire brigade, 102 for ambulance, and 108 for and Emergency Disaster Management. In addition, there are various helpline numbers for assistance to special categories of citizens, like Woman in distress, Missing Children and Women, and Crime Against Women.
With the introduction of a single number, a person in distress will now need to call 112, which will direct the call to concerned departments immediately for help.
The service will also be accessible even through those SIMs and landlines whose outgoing call facility has been stopped or temporarily suspended, reports added.
