Odisha Cabinet Approves ₹2,260 Crore Extension of DIAL-112 Emergency Response Scheme for Five More Years

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), popularly known as the DIAL-112 scheme, for another five years—from 2025-26 to 2029-30. The continuation of the scheme has been sanctioned with a substantial budgetary allocation of ₹2,260.89 crore.

The ERSS serves as a unified emergency helpline, integrating Police, Ambulance, and Fire services under a single toll-free number—112. Designed to provide swift and coordinated emergency response, the system has been instrumental in ensuring timely assistance to citizens during critical situations.

To further strengthen the system, the Cabinet has approved the creation of 4,195 new posts across various ranks. This will significantly enhance the state’s emergency response capacity by ensuring adequate staffing for round-the-clock operations. In addition, 645 new Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) will be deployed across the state to improve mobility and reduce response times in both urban and rural areas.

Recognizing the need for resilient infrastructure, the government has also greenlit the construction of two dedicated facilities—a State Emergency Response Centre (SERC) and a Mirror Emergency Response Centre (MERC). These centres will operate 24/7 and will be built with disaster-resilient features to ensure uninterrupted emergency services even during natural calamities or technical disruptions.