Bhopal: The 108 ambulance service in Bhopal, a critical lifeline for medical emergencies, is grappling with an alarming problem - fake and abusive calls. Over the last six months, the helpline has received more than 7.5 lakh prank calls, accounting for 9.5% of the total calls. Every minute, the centres receive more than 50 fake calls. These calls, often filled with abuse and bizarre demands like liquor or food, disrupt the system and delay assistance to genuine emergencies.
Tarun Singh Parihar, Senior Manager of the 108 Ambulance Service, expressed frustration at the rising menace. “We are receiving over 766 calls per minute, out of which more than 50 are fake. In October alone, 1.02 lakh prank calls were registered. Such behavior hampers our ability to save lives.”
“Sometimes they demand liquor, other times they hurl abuses. And then there are the repeat offenders—calling dozens of times from the same number,” said Parihar.
Data from the past six months reveals a troubling trend:
• May: Out of 14.09 lakh calls, 1.35 lakh were fake.
• June: Of 14.93 lakh calls, 1.45 lakh were prank calls.
• July: 1.29 lakh of 14.93 lakh calls were fake.
• August: 1.05 lakh of 13.05 lakh calls were from miscreants.
• September: 1.32 lakh of 13 lakh calls were fake.
• October: 1.02 lakh of 12.89 lakh calls were prank calls.
Shockingly, some individuals have made over 10,000 calls from a single number. While repeated offenders are temporarily blocked for 24 hours, permanent blocks are avoided in case of a genuine emergency from those numbers, the official stated.
Staff on the Receiving End
The prank calls are not only a nuisance but also a safety concern for the staff. Female call handlers, especially those working in morning shifts, face abuse and harassment during calls. “Some callers start hurling abuses the moment we answer, while others make inappropriate demands,” said a staff member.
Plans to Curb the Abuse
The ambulance service is now taking steps to address the issue. “We are identifying numbers responsible for repeated fake calls and will be filing police complaints against them,” said Parihar. He also urged the public to treat emergency services with the respect they deserve.
Despite these challenges, the staff continues to prioritize genuine emergencies, ensuring ambulances reach those in need as quickly as possible, Parihar added.
The prank calls strain the service’s resources, potentially delaying critical care for accident victims, heart attack patients, and other emergencies.
