Emergency response in UT country’s fastest
Chandigarh has topped the country in the fastest emergency response, officials have said. The UT Police Control Room (PCR) responds in almost six minutes to the distress calls received on 112 or 0172-2749194 or 0172-2744100, the dedicated telephone lines, which is the swiftest response time in India.
The Chandigarh PCR has bagged the national recognition for its average response time of 7.03 minutes till December last, which was the fastest in the country. After being ranked the country’s best, the Chandigarh PCR improved its response time to 6.01 minutes in March.
To further strengthen and upgrade the PCR, a fleet of 26 new Maruti Ertiga vehicles was added to its existing fleet of 78 vehicles on Thursday. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria flagged off the new fleet after chairing a crime review meeting. He is the first Governor-cum-Administrator to have chaired the crime review meeting in the UT.
SSP Kanwardeep Kaur told The Tribune on Saturday that Chandigarh earned the national recognition for its ability to provide the fastest emergency response in the country. According to the latest studies, the average response time of the PCR was recorded at 7.03 minutes in December last, which was among the best in India.
“This achievement is a testament to the city’s investment in advanced technology and efficient coordination between various police units,” she said, while stating that in recent months, the PCR has managed to reduce its average response time even further. From January till April 2025, the average response time dropped to an impressive 6.19 minutes, showcasing a marked improvement in the efficiency of emergency operations.
With the quickest-ever response time of 6.01 minutes in March, the PCR has considerably improved the operational efficiency from 7.03 minutes in December last to 6.42 minutes in January, 6.08 minutes in February, and 6.26 minutes in April.
A 2013-batch Punjab-cadre IPS, Kanwardeep, who is the second woman SSP of Chandigarh and serving here since March 2023, disclosed that this quick response was made possible by the integration of computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems and mobile data terminals (MDTs) in PCR vehicles.
The CAD system, integrated with the PCR’s operations, ensures that the nearest available unit is dispatched to the scene of the emergency, drastically reducing response time. The real-time tracking system enables the control room to monitor and guide PCR vans to the exact location of the incident, improving accuracy and speed.
“These vehicles are responsible for patrolling, responding to emergency calls, and ensuring the public’s safety in real-time. The vehicles are spread out in the city, ensuring that no area is left unattended. The division of the fleet ensures that response time is minimised, with units available in both urban and suburban locations,” said the SSP.
She said the recent additions and upgrades were part of an ongoing effort to enhance the capability of the Chandigarh Police in handling emergencies swiftly and efficiently. “The induction of new vehicles is intended to provide faster, more reliable responses to distress calls,” Kanwardeep stated, while informing that the last upgrade was made in 2024 with the addition of 25 Tata Safari SUVs to the PCR fleet, which had further enhanced the mobility of the PCR units.
On technology integration in vehicles, the SSP revealed that to ensure that the PCR fleet remains effective, the new vehicles are equipped with advanced technological tools such as GPS trackers, communication systems, and MDTs. “This technological upgrade ensures that the police can respond to crimes more effectively, while also recording important data for investigations,” she said.
About the call volume and efficiency, Kanwardeep said on an average, the PCR receives over 300 calls each day, ranging from minor disputes to serious crimes such as robberies and accidents. Despite the high volume of calls, the PCR manages to address incidents efficiently within a few minutes, thanks to the well-coordinated operations and quick decision-making of the staff.
The nature of calls can vary, with street brawls, domestic disputes, accidents, and robberies being the most common emergencies. “The PCR is designed to address all these scenarios, with units equipped to handle both law enforcement and emergency medical situations,” she said.
Each PCR vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracker that allows the control room to monitor the exact location of every vehicle at any given moment. This ensures that the nearest available vehicle can be dispatched to respond to emergencies promptly. The SSP revealed that MDTs are installed in all PCR vehicles, allowing officers to receive real-time information and updates directly from the control room. These terminals also assist in the collection and transmission of data related to incidents, which helps in speeding up investigations.
One of the examples of PCR’s swift action was the recovery of a missing six-year-old child in Ram Darbar. The child was found within minutes of the distress call, underscoring the effectiveness of the PCR team’s quick response and coordination. In a recent case, a mobile phone snatcher was apprehended after a PCR unit intercepted his escape route, demonstrating the efficient coordination between PCR officers and the use of technology.
The PCR is not only involved in responding to criminal incidents but also plays a key role in assisting citizens. The unit helps locate lost individuals, provide support during accidents, and offer help to vulnerable members of society, such as elderly citizens in distress or those requiring medical aid.
From flying squad to PCR
The PCR in Chandigarh was established in 1966, and was named flying squad initially. It serves as the backbone of emergency response, ensuring public safety and the prompt handling of incidents across the city. Operating around the clock, PCR units are designed to respond to a variety of situations, from criminal activities to accidents and health-related emergencies. Besides, the PCR plays an essential role in the seamless functioning of law enforcement and emergency services.
Chandigarh