Bengaluru Police Roll Out AI-Powered Multilingual System in 112 Emergency Helpline

The Bengaluru City Police on Wednesday launched an advanced multilingual artificial intelligence capability integrated into the 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) , aimed at eliminating language barriers and improving the speed and accuracy of emergency responses in the city.

The initiative was formally launched by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara , with officials describing it as a first-of-its-kind emergency response initiative in India that allows callers to seek help in multiple languages during critical situations.

Police said the upgrade to the Namma 112 platform introduces Multilingual Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions (VANKI) , an AI-driven system designed to help emergency operators quickly understand callers regardless of their linguistic background.

Bengaluru, widely known as a global technology hub, attracts students, migrant workers, professionals and international visitors from across India and abroad. In emergencies, however, language barriers during distress calls can delay communication and hinder quick response from authorities.

With the new AI system, callers can speak in their preferred language , while the technology translates conversations in real time for call handlers in the control room. This allows operators to instantly interpret critical information and dispatch police, medical or fire services more effectively, resulting in faster response times and improved clarity in emergency communication.

The multilingual AI capability currently supports more than 10 languages , including Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Kashmiri, Nepali and Assamese, along with international languages like Spanish, French and Arabic. Officials said the platform will continue to add more languages in phases as the system evolves.

Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen technology-driven policing and improve accessibility of emergency services in a diverse city. The system ensures that callers who may not speak Kannada, Hindi or English can still report emergencies without difficulty.

Officials also noted that the project builds on plans first proposed in 2025 to introduce an AI-powered multilingual voice assistant for the helpline. The system has now been implemented after development and testing in collaboration with technology partners Monday Ventures and Aeos , reflecting a partnership between innovation and law enforcement to improve public safety.

At present, the 112 emergency call centre operates with around 100 personnel across shifts, primarily handling calls in Kannada, English and Hindi. The integration of AI now allows the system to interpret many more languages instantly, significantly expanding its reach.