By Sanjeev Pal
New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) The Delhi Police plans to set up a high-tech control room by December in north Delhi to boost its efficiency by combining the ambulance, fire, and disaster management operations, a senior officer said on Wednesday.
The standard international emergency number 112 launched earlier will further strengthen the Police Control Room (PCR) operations, he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (PCR) Devendra Arya told IANS: "The Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned funds for the high-tech police control room, and Delhi Police has transferred the money to the Public Works Department for civil and electrical works.
"The new PCR will be housed at north Delhi's Haiderpur once all civil works are completed by December 2018. The construction of PCR in two segments is expected to be completed by the PWD by September-end," Arya said.
The PCR presently operates from the third floor of the Delhi Police headquarters at ITO, where 600 policemen work 24x7 in shifts to handle 50 lines.
The Haiderpur PCR will deploy 1,200 male and female personnel, with 300 in each of the four shifts to handle calls.
The emergency helpline number 112 is endorsed by maximum countries in the world. Only the US has a different emergency number -- 911 -- apart from India's 100.
"Delhi police wants to endorse international emergency number 112 along with the commonly known 100 in India. Many foreigners who visit Delhi are not aware of emergency number 100 and instead dial 112 in case of emergency. They have failed to connect to police in such cases. Emergency number 112 will thus benefit foreigners," the officer added.
(Sanjeev Pal can be contacted at sanjeev.p@ians.in)
