March 4, 2002

'27'

FOUR DIGIT TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO HELP NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT

    In order to strengthen natural disaster management capacity at national/state level, four digit telephone numbers have been allotted for natural disasters as public utility service by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

  1. "1070" for the Control Rooms of Central Relief Commissioner and Relief Commissioners of all States/UTs.
  2. "1077" for the Control Rooms of District Magistrates of all districts in the States throughout the country and the Relief Commissioner, NCT of Delhi.

The incoming calls on these numbers will not be metered and will be

    toll free. These numbers can be given two lines and will have the facility of pre-recorded voice player and message recording. BSNL has already issued necessary instructions to all their field units.

    It is expected that four digit dial number facility will greatly help in networking and communication by all those engaged in management of disasters, particularly those working in the fields including voluntary organisations and NGOs.