112 the new emergency number will be launched by Jan 2017

112, the single emergency number that will help people to reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire department will be operational throughout India from 1 January 2017. Single emergency number 112 of India will be similar to the '911' all-in-one emergency service in the United States. Highlights of its Usability • The service will also be accessible even through those SIMs and landlines whose outgoing call facility has been stopped or temporarily suspended. • A person in distress will need to call only 112, which will direct the call to concerned departments immediately for help. • All existing emergency numbers will be phased out within a year of rolling out 112, depending upon the awareness about this new facility. The provision of a single number for various emergency services was approved by Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.