Kolkata: Kolkata Police is preparing to overhaul its emergency response system by introducing the national emergency helpline number 112 alongside the existing 100 helpline.The move follows concerns expressed by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari that police response times in Bengal have been higher because the state police had not been fully integrated with the national 112 emergency system. Lalbazar also plans to reduce the city police’s average response time, currently at a minimum of around eight minutes, by adopting a police control room-style system similar to the Delhi Police model.A key part of the plan is a Rs 14 crore fleet expansion approved by Nabanna. Kolkata Police will acquire 40 new SUVs, which will be deployed across the city police’s 10 administrative divisions. Under the new system, whenever a distress call is received at the 112 control room, a three-member police team will be sent immediately to the spot in one of these vehicles.The state govt has said it hopes to provide such vehicles to every police station by Dec. A total of Rs 100 crore is expected to be allocated for the scheme across the state, with Kolkata Police making the first procurement under it.The police will also introduce 200 specially equipped, GPS-enabled patrol motorcycles to improve response in Kolkata’s narrow lanes and congested areas. Each police station will receive at least two dedicated motorcycles and two four-wheelers. The motorcycles will be painted in bright, visible colours, fitted with sirens and connected to the emergency response grid, functioning much like PCR vans.The expansion will also include 13 new advanced ambulances and four bulletproof assault vehicles. The new ambulances will add to the city police’s existing fleet of 15 and reduce dependence on private ambulances for taking road accident victims to hospitals.All new SUVs and motorcycles will have real-time GPS tracking, allowing the Lalbazar control room to monitor their movement and identify traffic or operational delays. The full fleet is expected to be delivered and made operational before Durga Puja.
