100 or 108: What should be the all-purpose emergency number, asks TRAI

16 March, 2013

India's telecom watchdog, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has floated a consultation paper while inviting the public to send in their views on what should be the emergency number for all purposes like for calling police, fire or any medical emergency.

Based on public views 100 and 108 are the two numbers from which one of the numbers will be later finalised as the single emergency number in the entire nation. Stakeholders can furnish their written comments by 5th April, 2013 and counter-comments by 12th April, 2013 to the Advisor (Networks, Spectrum and Licensing), TRAI. The comments may also be sent by e-mail to advmn@trai.gov.in. Comments would be posted on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in.

Presently, India has multiple emergency numbers based on the nature of emergency. For example to call police one has to dial 100, for fire services the number is 101, 102 for ambulance and 108 for emergency disaster management.

TRAI while releasing the consultation paper on "Universal Single Number Based Integrated Emergency Communication and Response System (IECRS), has sought comments if 100 or 108 should be set as the emergency number.

Countries suc as the US and the UK have the concept of a single emergency number. In the US, 911 is the all purpose emergency number while in the UK it is 999, and in Australia the emergency number is 000.

The consultation paper has also invited public opinion on whether there should be primary or secondary access numbers defined for IECRS in the country on the lines of other countries. In the UK and Australia the secondary emergency response number is 112 apart from 000. Calls from this number are again routed to primary response numbers in these countries.

Make 123 India's only emergency telephone number

Gurgaon Police is now on Facebook

COMMENTS (2)

Guest

HARISH DIDO

The number 108 is already given to the Ambulance. I think for all purpose emergency, it should be 123 to make to more catchy, symbolic and rhythmic....123 run to the tree...

0 Replies

HARISH DIDO

108 has already been given the Ambulance Service. I think for all purpose emergency, it should be 123. Its rhythmic with the children poetry...123 turn to the tree...

0 Replies