Karnataka launches Centralised Command and Control Centre for emergency ambulance services

The Karnataka government has launched a state-of-the-art Centralised Command and Control Centre to manage emergency ambulance services, marking a shift from a Public-Private Partnership model to a fully government-owned system.

The Karnataka government on Monday launched a government-owned, state-of-the-art Centralised Command and Control Centre here to ensure seamless operation and maintenance of emergency ambulance services across the state.

The facility, inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is an initiative announced in the state budget for 2025–26, officials said.

They noted that it marks a shift from the earlier Public-Private Partnership model under which the 108 emergency ambulance service has been operated since 2008, to a fully government-owned and managed system aimed at improving accountability, efficiency and response times.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah said that from today, advanced technology-enabled ambulance services will be available across all districts of the state and must effectively reach the public.

''For the first time in the entire country, Karnataka has launched the 108 Arogya Kavacha Centralised Command and Control Centre for health services. In emergency situations, treatment must be provided at high speed. In this direction, this centre will be highly helpful in ensuring healthcare delivery through an advanced model,'' he said.

According to him, the 108 ambulance service has been operating in the state for about 18 years. As announced in the 2025–26 budget, a dedicated system has now been created for the management of emergency ambulance services. He said it is important that this service effectively reaches the people, adding that quality healthcare services from the government will increase public trust.

The Chief Minister further said that when the 108 ambulance system was in private hands, accountability could not be effectively ensured. However, since the system is now under government control, accountability has improved.

According to an official statement, the Command and Control Centre will integrate multiple emergency and public health platforms, including 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance services, 104 Arogya Sahayavani, 112 Emergency Response Support System, Tele-MANAS (14416), eSanjeevani, Women's Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098), creating a unified emergency response network.

The integrated system will enable real-time coordination, GPS-based ambulance tracking, computer-aided dispatch, hospital mapping and automatic caller location detection to ensure faster emergency response.

The system will also support SMS alerts, digital patient records and two-way communication between ambulances and the control centre, it said.

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.

The system uses SIP-enabled telephony services through BSNL and Airtel and is equipped with Mobile Data Terminals installed in ambulances across all 31 districts.

Officials said the CCC will be headed by an Executive Director (IAS), supported by teams handling operations, finance and medical coordination, along with a programme management unit.

The system mandates rapid call response protocols, structured workflows and digital documentation to ensure strict monitoring of ambulance movement and service delivery, they added.