Delhi to adopt 112 as single emergency helpline

Delhi will move to a unified emergency response system with 112 becoming the single helpline number for all emergencies, replacing multiple existing numbers, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday.

The initiative will be implemented under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0 and is aimed at providing faster, more coordinated and technology-driven emergency assistance in the national capital.

Gupta said residents currently have to remember several helpline numbers for different services, including police (100), fire (101), ambulance (108), women’s helpline (181), child helpline (1098), gas leakage (1906), electricity (19123), water supply (1916), Delhi Metro (155370) and disaster management (1077). This fragmentation often leads to confusion and delays during critical situations, she said, adding that under ERSS 2.0, dialling 112 alone would be sufficient for any emergency.

The move aligns with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ declaration of 112 as the national emergency number, with Delhi adopting the system in a comprehensive manner. Under ERSS 2.0, all emergency calls, mobile app alerts, panic button activations, SMS and web-based distress signals will be routed to a single Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

From the PSAP, the required services—police, fire, ambulance or disaster management—will be alerted simultaneously, depending on the nature of the emergency.

A key feature of the system is automatic location identification, enabling control rooms to instantly detect the caller’s location and dispatch the nearest police vehicle, fire tender or ambulance, reducing response times, particularly during the “golden hour”.

Gupta said ERSS 2.0 will also feature a real-time monitoring dashboard to track incidents, vehicle movement and response timelines, allowing authorities to deploy alternate resources in case of delays.

Implementation will be carried out in phases, starting with the integration of existing helpline numbers into 112, followed by technical upgrades, staff training and system evaluation. A public awareness campaign and mock drills will also be conducted.

“This initiative will simplify and strengthen Delhi’s emergency response mechanism,” the chief minister said.