In order to streamline the integrated emergency communication and response system on the lines of the developed nations the regulator TRAI has sought public views on the single emergency number for the entire country.

The contention of the TRAI is that in view of the various shortcomings in the present system, there is a need to have a similar system in India

Releasing the consultation paper on "Universal Single Number Based Integrated Emergency Communication and Response System (IECRS), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sought comments on choice between the 100 and 108 for emergency calls like fire, accident, medical assistance. 

Currently, the country has emergencies numbers like 100 for police and 101 for fire which are quite popular among the masses. Most developed nations like the US and UK there exists a single emergency number. For example, US, UK and Australia have 911, 999 and 000 respectively.

Trai said that in India, number 100 which is reserved for calling Police services is very popular while 108 emergency service managed by EMRI ( Emergency Management and Research Institute) across more than ten states is becoming popular as an emergency response system

TRAI is also looking for options in terms of primary or secondary access numbers defined for IECRS in the country on the lines of other countries.

"A secondary emergency response number also exists in some countries like 112 in UK (in addition to 999), 112 in Australia (in addition to 000). Calls from this number are again routed to primary response numbers in these countries," TRAI said.

TRAI has also sought views whether inactive SIMs or handsets without SIMs could be used to access this emergency number.

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