Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 23: Google on Tuesday announced the activation of its Emergency Location Service (ELS) on Android smartphones across India, marking a major step toward improving emergency response. Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to fully integrate the technology with its 112 emergency services system.
In a statement, Google said the feature enables emergency responders to automatically receive a caller’s precise location when a 112 call or SMS is made from an Android device.
ELS is a built-in Android feature that uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile network signals to determine a caller’s location with an accuracy of up to 50 metres. This is particularly useful in emergencies where callers may be unable to describe their location or when calls drop shortly after connecting.
The company said the service has been designed with strict privacy safeguards. ELS is activated only during emergency calls or messages, is free of cost, and does not require users to install any additional apps or hardware. Google also clarified that location data is sent directly from the user’s phone to emergency services and is neither stored nor accessed by the company.
Before its statewide launch in Uttar Pradesh, the system was tested through a pilot programme that delivered positive results. During the trial phase, ELS supported over 20 million emergency calls and SMS alerts, successfully identifying caller locations even when calls were disconnected within seconds.
The technology is powered by Android’s machine learning–based Fused Location Provider, which helps ensure accurate location sharing whether the caller is indoors, outdoors or moving.
The service is compatible with Android devices running version 6.0 and above. Once an emergency call is placed, the caller’s location is instantly displayed to responders through the UP112 command and control system, supported by routing intelligence from Pertsol.
Officials said the integration allows emergency authorities to quickly assess the situation and dispatch police, medical or fire services without delay, significantly improving response times and potentially saving lives.