Does dialling 112 help in all emergencies? Depends on state you live in, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• The Nationwide Emergency Response System (NERS), with the single helpline number 112, was launched in India in 2019 to integrate all emergency services.
• It aimed to subsume multiple existing emergency numbers like 100 (police), 101 (fire), 102 (medical), and 108 (ambulance) into one common code.
• As of 2026, only five states and Union Territories—Delhi, Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana, and Lakshadweep—have fully integrated all emergency helpline numbers into 112.
• The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories to complete the technical and operational integration of all emergency numbers into the 112 helpline within three months.

Detailed Insights:

• The 112 number is also used by European member states and other countries, first recommended by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in 1976.
• The choice of 112 was historically based on ease of dialing on rotary phones and preventing accidental calls.
• India's decision to adopt a common emergency number stemmed from recommendations by the Justice J S Verma committee following the 2012 Delhi bus gangrape case.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs formally launched 112 across India on February 19, 2019, utilizing the Nirbhaya Fund for its implementation.
• The 112 system provides a centralized mechanism for monitoring resources at district and state levels, as exemplified by Uttar Pradesh's command center.
• The system creates an event or ticket based on the emergency type and dispatches the nearest response vehicle, integrating various services like "safe city" initiatives.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nationwide Emergency Response System (NERS): A pan-India integrated emergency response system with 112 as the single helpline number for all emergencies.
• Justice J S Verma committee: An expert committee formed in 2012 to recommend amendments to criminal law for quicker justice to victims of sexual assault.
• Nirbhaya Fund: A corpus fund established by the Government of India in 2013 for schemes aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women.