Odisha targets to integrate emergency services of different depts by end of August

Bhubaneswar, July 15: In another step towards citizen-centric Governance, the unified call number (112) for emergency response support system (ERSS) has been operationalized in the State. This was known from a high-level review meeting held on digital mode under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra from Lokseba Bhawan conference hall today wherein Additional Chief Secretary Home Sanjeev Chopra outlined the administrative and financial issues for discussion.  Reviewing the functioning of the system, Chief Secretary Mahapatra directed to make ERSS more responsive and prompt. He emphasized upon reducing the response time between the receipt of a call and reaching of the vehicle at the service delivery point. In the first stage the emergency call number 100 and 101 of police and fire service have been integrated with the unified number 112. Chief Secretary directed the home department to take up extensive awareness activities about the functioning of the unified number so that people could make use of the system.  Further Mahapata directed to fully integrate various emergency services being provided by different departments for which varied help desk numbers were rolled out at different points of time. Discussions in the meeting show that apart from 100 and 101; there are different other numbers like 102 ( Janani Express), 104 (health help desk for covid), 108 (emergency ambulance), 181 ( women helpline), and,  1098 ( child helpline). Besides, helpline service is also available for senior citizens and differently able persons. The Chief Secretary directed to integrate all these services with unified ERRS in phases for making it easy and convenient for the citizens. Target was set to integrate maximum number of services with the new system by end of August. He also directed to engage more manpower and vehicles for immediate response. The parallel helplines would gradually be closed with full functioning and stabilization of the new ERRS.