Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Suvendu Launches 112 Helpline, Criticizes Bengal’s Dial-100 Service
West Bengal has started using 112 as an emergency number.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said the old Dial-100 service was not working well.
The article says people had complained about slow replies and problems sending calls to the right place.
The state says 112 has more phone channels to handle calls.
Each of the state’s 450 police stations received a car and a two-wheeler.
The government also plans to add more vehicles next year.
It plans to create a 20-person emergency team at every station.
Adhikari said these changes should help police reach people faster.
West Bengal launched the 112 Emergency Response Support System at Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday.
Suvendu Adhikari called Dial-100 “practically defunct,” citing public distrust and policing shortcomings.
Officials said 112 has additional voice channels and IP extensions to manage more calls.
Each of the state’s 450 police stations received a car and a two-wheeler.
The government plans 20-member response teams at each station and four additional cars and four motorcycles per station next year.
- Who
- Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and state police.
- What
- The state launched the 112 Emergency Response Support System and announced vehicles and dedicated response teams for police stations.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Brigade Parade Ground, West Bengal.
- Why
- The initiative is intended to improve emergency call handling and reduce police response times amid criticism of Dial-100.
Government’s Criticism
Service and Infrastructure Context
Dial-100’s effectiveness
Government’s Criticism
Suvendu Adhikari said Dial-100 was “practically defunct” because callers believed no one would answer, and criticized the previous government’s reliance on civic volunteers.
Service and Infrastructure Context
The article notes that Dial-100 had faced criticism over delayed responses and telecommunications problems, including calls reaching locations other than those intended.
Emergency response times
Government’s Criticism
Adhikari said Bengal’s average emergency response time was 90 minutes and asked why the state could not match the six-to-10-minute times he cited for Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Service and Infrastructure Context
He contrasted that figure with Kolkata’s reported 10-to-15-minute response time, which he attributed to the city having a larger vehicle fleet.
- New emergency number
- 112
- Police stations covered
- 450 across the state
- Vehicles initially provided
- One car and one two-wheeler for each police station
- Additional vehicles planned
- Four cars and four motorcycles per station next year
- Planned response team
- 20 officers per station: 15 men and five women
- Reported average response time in Bengal
- 90 minutes
- Reported response time in Kolkata
- 10 to 15 minutes