Rajkot Launches Unified Emergency Helpline Number 112

Rajkot: In a major step towards streamlining emergency services, the city of Rajkot has officially launched helpline number 112, which will now serve as a single point of contact for all emergencies, including police assistance, fire services, medical aid, women’s safety, and cybercrime support.

Until now, citizens had to remember multiple numbers, 100 for police, 101 for fire brigade, 108 for ambulance, 181 for the women’s helpline (Abhayam), and 1930 for cybercrime complaints. With the introduction of 112, these separate numbers will gradually become obsolete, as all emergency requests will now be handled through one centralized system.

This new initiative, called the Jan Rakshak Helpline, is part of a nationwide rollout of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), which was first introduced in 2019. Designed to unify all emergency services under a single, toll-free number, the ERSS has already seen successful pilot implementations in districts like Gir Somnath, Devbhumi Dwarka, Morbi, Chhota Udepur, Botad, Aravalli, and Mahisagar. Encouraged by the positive results, the Gujarat government has now extended the service to other parts of the state, including Rajkot.

The launch of 112 marks a significant digital upgrade to Rajkot’s emergency infrastructure. All calls made to this number will be managed through a fully computerized system, operated from a central control room in Gandhinagar, with regional monitoring stations in place for local coordination. The city’s police control vans, commonly known as PCR vans, have also been updated: the traditional “Dial 100” signage has been replaced with “Dial 112” on all 17 city vehicles.

Despite the shift to a new number, authorities have assured the public that calls made to the old 100 number will not go unanswered. Instead, they will be automatically redirected to 112, ensuring that no distress call is missed during the transition period.

The 112 service is accessible via both mobile phones and landlines and is entirely free of charge. Each PCR van has now been equipped with a range of emergency tools, including wireless sets, tablets with the Jan Rakshak app, GPS devices, fire extinguishers, emergency lights, and first aid kits. These vehicles are expected to play a crucial role in delivering timely assistance on the ground.

Staff members operating the helpline have undergone multiple rounds of training to ensure they are fully prepared for the digital operations. Additional training is also being provided at individual police stations to ensure smooth implementation across the board.

Speaking on the launch, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Control), Vinayak Patel, emphasized the importance of the new system. He noted that 112 would not only make it easier for citizens to seek help but would also improve coordination and response times across emergency departments.

With the introduction of 112, Rajkot takes a significant leap forward in public safety, moving closer to a smarter, more responsive emergency service network that puts citizen convenience and security first.

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