Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SR)

Panaji, Oct 10: The common helpline number 112 has become operational in the state on Wednesday launched by Chief minister Pramod Sawant. Citizens in distress can now dial the number for any emergency services from the police, fire services or ambulance.

Along with a district centre in Margao, a central emergency response support system (ERSS) has been set up to display information on a real-time basis at the police headquarters in Panaji.

With the new system, the officials expect to curb the crime rate in Goa. Launching the system Chief minister Pramod Sawant said, “Earlier, a person had to dial different numbers for emergencies, like 100 for police, 101 for fire, 1098 for children and 181 for women. Within a short span of time, we will also connect the common helpline number to our 108 ambulance services,” said Sawant as quoted by TOI.

Within hours of making it operational, the system has already received 95 calls on Wednesday. The earlier emergency numbers will continue to be operational for now and a call to any of these numbers will be received by the emergency response support system, said the officials.