Goodbye Dial 100, Hello 112 : MP To Shift To A Pan India Emergency Number From Aug 15 Onwards

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Starting this Independence Day-August 15- the state’s Dial-100 emergency response service will be rebranded as Dial-112 in Madhya Pradesh.

The move aligns the state with the national Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), a Pan-India initiative that designates ‘112’ as the single emergency helpline number for the citizens.

Madhya Pradesh was among the first 16 states to implement the ERSS in February 2019. The Dial-112 service is part of a Government of India initiative funded under the Nirbhaya Scheme, aimed at enhancing the safety of women and children.

The upcoming transition to Dial-112 will also see a change in service operators in Madhya Pradesh. Previously managed by BVG, the emergency response service will now be handled by GVK, a firm that earlier managed ambulance services in the state.

Under the terms of the contract, the GVK will handle the operation of Dial 112 for five years and about 1200 new vehicles will be deployed as first response vehicles (FRVs) across the state. Apart from GPS and radio (wireless) equipment, these vehicles will be equipped with advanced navigation systems to trace complainants’ locations and guide Dial 112 team to the spot quickly.

55 % callers were women: ADG Shami

ADG Communications Sanjeev Shami said that nearly 55% of the callers on Dial-100 were women. Most complaints were related to domestic violence, eve-teasing, and crimes against women, said the officer, adding that Dial-100 response teams reached women at their doorsteps and provided timely help.

Over the past year, the service helped save the lives of 15,000 road accident victims by ensuring their timely transportation to hospitals.