Summoning ambulances to precise accident spot will soon get easier

New Delhi: Summoning ambulances to the precise accident spot will soon get easier as one will be able to call the Centre-run 108 emergency ambulance services without specifying location from a phone having no Internet connection.

The Union Health Ministry recently has entered into an agreement with technology giant Google and telecom service providers to offer the service in which the ambulance will reach the spot without being informed about the location, said a senior government official.

The service will be run using twin technologies -- Cell Town Triangulation and Google Emergency Location Services.

While Cell Tower Triangulation technology uses information from telecom operator about the location, the Google ESL uses GPS to track the location in a more accurate way.

"Both of these will together be used in the new avatar of 108 emergency ambulance services to accurately reach the site of an accident. This is one-of-a-kind initiative, as it involves the use of technology for helping citizens without the prior need of Internet or an app.

"This is app-free and Internet -free platform and hence it is universal which means one can avail the service if their phone does not have Internet," the official explained.

The idea was pitched by IAS officer Abhijeet Kaplish of the 2015 cadre, currently posted as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Mansa.