Ludhiana gets a new emergency service, here is how it works

Ludhiana police commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu, who inaugurated the CARE Station in Sarabha Nagar market, said that it was the first such project in Punjab which has been undertaken to improve the Emergency Response system.

“Initially, the ten locations where Care Stations have been made operational are Samrala Chowk, Ghumar Mandi, Clock Tower, Feroze Gandhi Market, Tuition market (Model Town), Gill Chowk, Sarabha Nagar market, Haibowal, Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and Jalandhar bypass bus stop,” said Sidhu.

So how does it work?

Each Station is connected with the ICCC (Integrated Command and Control Centre), citywide CCTV surveillance control room, 112 helpline mechanism, Police Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and traffic infrastructure.

It enables two-way communication thereby preventing the need to physically go to Police Stations in situations of immediate relief.

It has an inbuilt system that can be used to inform the public about important developments, ensure smooth flow of traffic and relay important information in crisis situations.

Real time location-based and immediate response is provided against sensitive crimes such as snatching, vehicle theft, eve teasing, stalking etc. Ludhiana is a cosmopolitan city having a large migrant population, foreigners etc with no local acquaintances. People with no mobile phones can use these stations in panic situations.

How to use it?

First a caller has to reach a CARE Station and press the button. Thereafter, the caller gets connected to the operator who could see the live footage and current location of the caller. Then the caller narrates his problem to the operator who then directs the nearest PCR vehicle to reach the caller immediately. Information is also passed on to the SHO of the nearest Police Station to keep tap of the situation and respond accordingly. PCR reaches the caller and further action is taken accordingly. The whole scenario has been placed under CCTV surveillance to ensure timely response and accountability.