The Hindu Business Line : Police helpline for emergency services on highways in Kerala

Mr P.K. Hormis Tharakan (left), Director General of Police, and Mr K.A. Mohammed Salim, COO, BPL Mobile, at the launch of `ALERT' in Kochi on Monday. - K.K. Mustafah

Kochi , March 29

KERALA Police in association with BPL Mobile has launched a new public service initiative - ALERT - which provides helpline assistance on the national highways and (Main Central Road) M.C. Road in the State.

ALERT, the acronym for Accident Liaison and Emergency Response Tele-service is based on the vision of the Director General of Police and senior team to offer prompt and effective emergency response on the highways.

The telecommunication connectivity of ALERT has been facilitated by BPL Mobile and the service can be accessed by dialling the easy to remember 9846 100 100 from any phone, mobile or landline.

Launching the service here on Monday, Mr P.K. Hormis Tharakan, DGP, said ALERT is a timely service aimed at offering prompt and effective response for all kinds of emergency situations on the highways.

"Perhaps this is the first such initiative in the country and with the launch of this new initiative, the police force is more geared than ever to respond to any emergency," the DGP said.

The police have deployed a well-trained group to manage the 24-hour ALERT service and there are plans to extend this facility beyond the national highways to every road across Kerala, he said. Referring to increasing number of road accidents in the State, the police chief said that a more corporate involvement is necessary for the police to provide long-term measures involving traffic engineering, traffic planning, creating awareness etc. Mr K.A. Mohammed Saleem, Chief Operating Officer, BPL Mobile said that as a socially responsible organisation, the company has consistently used mobile phone technology to make a difference.

This initiative will meet with all required assistance from organisations such as Rotary International, Indian Medical Association, various industry association and NGO's, he said.

ALERT is powered by an extensive network with the Police Headquarters in Thiruva- nanthapuram functioning as the hub. The service will work round the clock and will be manned by trained members of the police.

Once a call is received on ALERT, the robust backroom support facility will be activated. Information will be passed on to the nearest police station/highway police patrol, which will then take charge of the situation. A detailed database of hospitals, ambulance services and other emergency services is available at ALERT.

More Stories on : Roadways | Accidents | Security | Kerala

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Police helpline for emergency services on highways in Kerala