New Delhi, Oct. 10 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday launched the unified emergency response service '112', promising faster police intervention and an overhaul of police mobility and manpower.
Addressing a programme at Brigade Parade Ground on Mahalaya, Adhikari claimed that the existing emergency number '100' had become virtually ineffective, with the state taking an average of around 90 minutes to respond to emergencies.
The government aims to reduce response times to a few minutes, following the model of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
As part of the first phase, 450 police stations across Bengal are being provided with one vehicle and one motorcycle each. Within a year, the government plans to equip every police station with four vehicles, four motorcycles and a dedicated 20-member team for the 112 service. The government has also approved the recruitment of 1,500 drivers to support the expanded network.
Adhikari said the recruitment process for around 11,000 constables and sub-inspectors in Bengal Police had been completed, with appointment letters to be issued before Durga Puja.
He said large crowds had gathered at river ghats across the state since early morning without any untoward incident.
However, he directed the police to maintain strict vigilance and reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking, child marriage, crimes against women and children, rape and corruption. Referring to incidents at RG Kar, Kasba Law College, IQ City and Baruipur, Adhikari urged the police to prevent their recurrence. He also stressed that investigations into such crimes must remain free from political interference.
The launch of Dial 112, alongside plans to expand police vehicles, motorcycles and dedicated response teams, marks the government's push to strengthen emergency policing through improved mobility and quicker deployment.
The initiative's effectiveness will depend on whether the state can achieve its response-time target, particularly in areas where police stations cover large geographical jurisdictions and emergencies demand immediate intervention.;
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.