"Response in 6-minutes": Dial 112 to begin before Durga Puja, announces CM Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced the upcoming nationwide rollout of the 112 emergency helpline number across the state, aiming to drastically cut down police response times before the festive Durga Puja season. Pointing out the current administrative inefficiencies, the Chief Minister noted that while police forces in other BJP-ruled states frequently manage to arrive at a crime scene within six minutes of receiving a distress call, the average response time in West Bengal has lagged at nearly three hours. This new emergency mechanism will directly integrate local law enforcement into the central national network to streamline crisis management.

To ensure the system works effectively on the ground, the state government has mandated that every single police station across West Bengal will be allotted a dedicated quick-response vehicle. This tactical measure is designed to guarantee that personnel can immediately mobilize and reach citizens in distress without logistical delays. The infrastructure upgrade forms a core part of the newly elected BJP administration's wider budgetary and administrative overhaul, focused on modernizing law enforcement operations, standardizing regional emergency channels, and enforcing strict public safety laws throughout the state.

In addition to expanding the 112 service, the state administration is introducing a series of targeted measures explicitly focused on enhancing the security of women. Every police station across the state will now feature an operational, specialized women's help desk to offer direct, sensitive, and immediate legal assistance. This initiative aligns with the government's broader legislative push, following the recent introduction of the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, aimed at cleaning up neighborhood safety and ensuring structural, round-the-clock protection for all vulnerable groups.