West Bengal launches emergency response system with 900 vehicles

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched ERSS-112 on October 10, unveiling 450 cars and 450 motorcycles to support faster police responses to emergencies.

At the Brigade Parade Ground programme, Adhikari said West Bengal Police took about 90 minutes on average to respond to emergencies, compared with 10–15 minutes for Kolkata Police. Those figures were his stated assessment, rather than an independently audited comparison.

He said the government would provide four motorcycles and four cars to every police station within a year. The Cabinet had also approved recruitment of 1,500 drivers, he said. The larger allocation is a future commitment, separate from the vehicles unveiled at the launch.

The initiative seeks to strengthen police transport and emergency-call handling. Adhikari argued that personnel, logistical support, modern equipment and stronger cybercrime capabilities were necessary to improve policing.

He also reiterated plans for a State Investigation Agency modelled on the National Investigation Agency and for two Indian Reserve battalions. Those plans do not mean the units have already begun operating.