On the lines of USA’s all-in-one emergency services number 911, India is set to operationalise a national emergency response system phone number 112 in January next year, according to reports. Preparations in this regard are already in full swing. While a pilot project of the national emergency response system is already on in the national capital, Delhi police would also set up a separate control room in this regard for residents of the city, according to HT.
According to the report, the new control room for Delhi could be set up around Haiderpur. Following the launch of 112 emergency number, all calls to 100 would also come on 112. The 112 control room will also receive calls about fire and ambulance services.
The project is being monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs and necessary funds in this regard has already been disbursed to states. Sources told HT that Delhi alone has received Rs 12 crore for operationalising the US-style all-in-one emergency response number.
Police believe that the number of hoax calls may increase further after the launch of the new national emergency response number. In Delhi alone, police receive about 40% blank calls at present, according to HT.
At present, the Modi government is tackling Opposition parties’ charges on demonetisation both inside and outside the Parliament. The sudden note-ban has inconvenience millions of people across the country.
While some people have allegedly lost their lives due to the unexpected cash crunch, a number of others have supported the government’s move. Announcing the demonetisation decision on November 8, PM Modi had informed the country that it would take at least 50 days to replenish the banks and ATMs across the country with new currency notes.
The demonetisation made around 85% currency notes in circulation in the country invalid.
