Patna: The Bihar Police plans to install “panic buttons” at public places across the state to help people seek immediate assistance during emergencies such as road accidents, fires, disasters and violent incidents.
Officials said the panic buttons would be linked directly to the state’s Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) Dial 112 network, allowing distress alerts to reach emergency control centres instantly.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Additional Director General of Police (Technical Services and Communications) Amit Lodha said the department was working towards building one of the country’s leading integrated emergency response systems.
Panic Buttons Planned At Public Locations
Lodha said panic buttons would be installed at commonly used public spaces, including:
- Parks
- Roads
- Other high-footfall public areas
He added that the police were also exploring the use of advanced technologies similar to systems deployed in western countries, including panic buttons integrated into vehicles.
According to Lodha, such systems could automatically notify emergency centres in the event of road accidents or other emergencies.
‘Next Generation Emergency Response System’ Underway
The ADGP said Bihar was implementing a “next generation emergency response system” aimed at improving coordination between emergency services and reducing response times.
Key features of the proposed system include:
- Integration of emergency services under a single platform
- Faster emergency response times
- Real-time monitoring and tracking
- Improved technological infrastructure
Dial 112 currently provides integrated emergency assistance related to:
- Police emergencies
- Road accidents
- Fires
- Disasters
- Other distress situations
Officials said the service can be accessed free of cost through:
- Mobile phone calls
- SMS
- SOS alerts
- The ERSS online portal
Average Response Time Under 11 Minutes
Lodha said ERSS Dial 112 was currently responding to emergencies in less than 11 minutes on average.
He added that the department aimed to reduce response times further through the deployment of new technologies and additional manpower expected over the next two months.
According to police data, Dial 112 receives an average of 6,500 calls daily.
Since its launch on July 6, 2022, the service has reportedly handled around 55 lakh calls across Bihar.
Breakdown Of Emergency Calls
Police shared details of the types of incidents handled by Dial 112 since its launch:
- 4,69,347 calls related to domestic violence and crimes against women and children
- 29,97,411 calls linked to local disputes and violent clashes
- More than 2.39 lakh calls concerning road accidents
- Over 1.13 lakh calls related to fire incidents
- More than 17.73 lakh calls involving other emergencies and assistance requests
Officials said the emergency service had provided prompt support in several cases involving protection of life and property.
Emergency Response Centre Planned In Gaya
Lodha also announced that a Mirror Sight Emergency Response Centre would be established in Gaya as part of the expansion and modernisation of Bihar’s emergency response infrastructure.
