Swati Maliwal writes to cops on delay in connecting to PCR

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal Tuesday issued a notice to Delhi Police, requesting inspection of the Police Control Room for understanding its operation. This came after Maliwal reportedly experienced a 15-minute delay in getting connected to PCR after dialling 100.

In the notice, Maliwal said she called 100 after she saw an Omni Van burning near the Tibetan Monastery Market near Kashmere Gate at 1.15 pm. She said she could get through to the PCR only after trying for 15 minutes. “I am deeply concerned by the fact that I was able to get through to 100 only after 14 or 15 attempts and a delay of 15-20 minutes. It is pertinent to note here that the caller actually could have been a woman in distress and in urgent need of help. That is why it is important that the response time of the PCR helpline be significantly reduced and under no circumstances should a delay of 15 minutes be allowed,” Maliwal said in the notice sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (PCR) R K Singh.

She, however, appreciated that once her call was answered, she received four to five follow-up calls. The DCW has sought details of the average response time of the PCR to calls received in the last six months and infrastructure among other information. The Delhi police has been asked to respond to the commission’s notice by December 4.