The Bengaluru Police has become the first police unit in India to deploy an artificial intelligence-powered multilingual feature in its Namma 112 emergency helpline. The initiative was launched on Wednesday, aiming to eliminate language barriers for callers seeking assistance.
AI System Supports Over 10 Languages
The new system, developed in collaboration with Monday Ventures and Aeos, utilizes multilingual Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions (VANKI) to facilitate communication. It currently supports more than 10 Indian and foreign languages, including Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Assamese, Kashmiri, Nepali, French, Spanish, and Arabic. Most police personnel are already proficient in Kannada, English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
Home Minister Launches Initiative
Launching the project, Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that additional languages will be introduced soon. He emphasized that Bengaluru is an internationally renowned city attracting visitors from across the globe. Language had been a barrier for those seeking police help, particularly through the control room. With this initiative, Bengaluru becomes the first police force in the country to interact in over 10 languages.
Data Collection and Language Demand
Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh noted that while officers can speak and understand Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, the challenge arises when callers speak unfamiliar Indian or foreign languages during emergencies. To address this, data collection on languages used in helpline calls began in January this year.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Admin) Kuldeep Kumar Jain revealed that the police control room receives approximately 8,000 phone calls daily, with around 2,000 requiring action. Among these, 100 to 200 calls involve languages other than Kannada, English, Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu. Malayalam was the most requested language, followed by other regional languages. Among foreign languages, Spanish, French, Nepali, and Arabic were the most sought-after.
Future Expansion
Authorities plan to add more languages to the system in the coming months, ensuring that the helpline remains accessible to all residents and visitors in Bengaluru.
