112 is India’s all-in-one emergency helpline number: Know all about it!
India’s all-in-one emergency helpline number ‘112’ was launched by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in 16 states and Union Territories. The 112 emergency helpline number would provide immediate assistance to services like police (100), fire (101), health (108), women’s safety (1090) and child protection.
The emergency number earlier was launched in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland. But, now, as it has been launched in 16 states, it will gradually be extended to other states as well.
Rajnath Singh said — “The helpline number ‘112’ will be activated across the country by next year and anyone in distress can reach the helpline by pressing a single key of phones which will be pre-programmed.”
Apart from emergency response service, the government also launched Investigation Tracking System for Sexual (ITSSO) and the safe city implementation monitoring portal to improve the women’s safety situation in the country.
Panic call feature in India’s all-in-one emergency helpline number
112 emergency helpline has another unique feature:
For smartphones: In any emergency situation, you need to press the power button three times quickly on your smartphones to activate a panic call to the Emergency Response Centre (ERC).
For normal phones: You need to long press number ‘5’ or ‘9’ to activate a panic call through your normal phones.
Emergency complaints can be logged online
The emergency services can also be accessed online by logging on to the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) website. On the ERSS website, you can either send an emergency email or send an SOS alert to the Emergency Report Centre (ERC).
‘112 India’ all-in-one emergency helpline mobile app
A ‘112 India’ mobile app was also launched on Google Playstore and Apple store by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It provides a special ‘SHOUT’ feature for women and children, which alerts registered volunteers close to the victim for immediate assistance.
States where 112 has been launched:
The 16 states and Union Territories of India where the all-in-one emergency helpline single emergency has been launched are:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Punjab
- Kerala
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Gujarat
- Puducherry
- Lakshadweep
- Andaman
- Dadar and Nagar Haveli
- Daman and Diu
- Jammu and Kashmir
