Centre allocates Rs 321 crore for Emergency Response Support System project

The Central government has allocated Rs 321.69 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund for the implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) project across the country, Ministry of Home Affairs (Women Safety Division) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday launched ERSS for Himachal Pradesh at Mandi, marking the commencement of a single number (112) based emergency services which will connect to police, fire, health and other helplines through an Emergency Response Centre in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed his gratitude to the Union Home Minister Singh for inaugurating the 112-single emergency number, 112 India mobile app and ERSS website and for providing financial assistance of Rs 4.71 crore for the project.

 

Himachal Pradesh is the first state to launch pan-India single emergency number '112' under ERSS. Under this project, one Emergency Response Centre (ERC) has been established in Shimla along with 12 District Command Centers (DCCs) covering entire State. Emergency Response Centre has been integrated with Police (100), Fire (101), Health (108) and Women helpline (1090) Services to provide emergency services via single emergency number-112.

The service also includes a '112 India' mobile app integrated with Panic Button of smart phones and ERSS state website for ease of citizen in availing immediate assistance.

Union Home Minister Singh congratulated and applauded the initiatives of Himachal Pradesh government for being the first state to launch the single emergency number under ERSS project. He also appealed to residents of the state to download '112 India' mobile app.

Citing the success of Himachal Pradesh in rolling out the ERSS project, Singh requested other States and Union Territories to make all-out efforts to commence rollout of their ERSS project.

The '112 India' mobile app will be introduced in all Indian states and Union Territories to help people across the country access the unified emergency services.

To increase the effectiveness of Emergency Response, the ERC has also been integrated with location-based services provided by telecom service providers. Apart from that, a SHOUT feature has been introduced in '112 India' mobile app to ensure the safety of women.