Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 26: The Karnataka government on Monday launched a state-owned, state-of-the-art centralized command and control centre to ensure the smooth operation and management of emergency ambulance services across the state.
The facility, inaugurated by chief minister Siddaramaiah, is an initiative announced in the 2025–26 state budget, officials stated.
They noted that this marks a transition from the previous public-private partnership model that had managed the 108 emergency ambulance service since 2008, moving towards a fully government-owned and operated system aimed at improving accountability, efficiency, and response times.
Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah emphasized that advanced technology-enabled ambulance services will now be available in all districts of the state, and the primary focus must be on reaching the public effectively.
"For the first time in the country, Karnataka has launched the 108 Arogya Kavacha Centralized Command and Control Centre for health services. In emergency situations, treatment must be provided rapidly. To that end, this centre will be highly instrumental in ensuring healthcare through an advanced model," he said.
As announced in the 2025-26 budget, a dedicated system has now been established for the management of emergency ambulance services. Stressing the importance of the service reaching people effectively, he added that quality healthcare services from the government foster public trust.
The chief minister pointed out that when the 108 ambulance system was in private hands, it was difficult to ensure accountability effectively. However, with the system now under government control, accountability is expected to significantly improve.
According to an official statement, the Command and Control Centre integrates various emergency and public health platforms, creating a unified emergency response network. This includes the 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance services, 104 health helpline, 112 emergency response support system, Tele-Manas (14416), e-Sanjeevani, women's helpline (181), and children's helpline (1098).
The integrated system facilitates immediate coordination, GPS-based ambulance tracking, computer-aided dispatch, hospital mapping, and automated caller location detection, ensuring a swift emergency response.
The system also supports SMS alerts, digital patient records, and two-way communication between ambulances and the control centre, the statement added.
The CCC has been developed on the CDAC NG-ERSS V2.0 platform and is supported by a 50-seat call centre connected through the Karnataka State Data Centre (KSDC), Karnataka State Wide Area Network (KSWAN), and LAN infrastructure.
It utilizes SIP-enabled telephone services provided by BSNL and Airtel and relies on mobile data terminals installed in ambulances across all 31 districts.
Officials stated that the CCC will be headed by an executive director (IAS) and supported by teams managing operations, finance, and medical coordination, along with a programme management unit.
The system mandates rapid call response protocols, structured workflows, and comprehensive digital documentation to ensure strict monitoring of ambulance movement and overall service delivery, they added.