Bengaluru police to deploy AI-based Multilingual voice agent for 112 helpline
Bengaluru: In a major move aimed at ensuring inclusive and accessible emergency services, the Bengaluru city police is set to deploy an AI-powered multilingual voice agent on the 112 emergency helpline. This advanced system will allow callers to seek assistance in a range of Indian and foreign languages, easing communication challenges often faced by migrant workers, international tourists, and students, reported Moneycontrol.com.
According to a tender floated by the city police, the AI voice assistant will initially support Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Kashmiri, Nepali, and Assamese. It will also cater to international callers by offering language options including Spanish, French, and Arabic.
The document accessed by Moneycontrol.com further states that the AI system is flexible and can be quickly trained to accommodate additional languages based on future requirements.
Quoting an official, Moneycontrol.com reported, “The AI voice assistant can understand and communicate in multiple languages. It will be integrated into the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS 112) to help eliminate the language barriers that often delay or block emergency response.”
Currently, the 112 helpline is staffed by around 100 personnel proficient in Kannada, English, and Hindi. Some staff members can also handle Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. However, with the city being a magnet for people from across India and beyond, the limitations of human language proficiency have posed challenges during crisis calls. The integration of AI tools is expected to address these issues comprehensively.
The development comes in the wake of a recent controversy where Bengaluru Police were accused of asking a Spanish tourist to speak in Kannada during a burglary emergency. However, police clarified that no such call was received at the time and the issue was acted upon the following morning based on a neighbour’s report.
Beyond simple translation, the AI voice agent will have the ability to adapt its responses based on the nature of the emergency. Whether it’s a missing child, a medical emergency, or a fire, the system can frame context-specific questions and relay information to relevant departments such as ambulances or fire brigades. Equipped with location-tracking capabilities, it will also help pinpoint callers’ positions more accurately.
A senior police official, speaking to Moneycontrol.com, stated, “In situations where every second counts, being able to communicate instantly in one’s native language could be the difference between life and death.”
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
