THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police, in association with BSNL, is setting up hotline connection for senior citizens to nearby police stations. State police chief Loknath Behera directed his district chiefs to initiate steps in this regard, taking a cue from a similar project launched by Pala police station in Kottayam district recently.

BSNL enabled hotline connectivity from land phones at houses of senior citizens under its limits. Once the phone's receiver is taken for ten seconds, the call would get connected to the station. This system was found to be effective and hence being extended to all police stations. Caller-identification systems would also be installed at the stations, a statement from police headquarters said.





Pala circle inspector Rajan K. Aramana said though the time lag was initially set as ten seconds, it was later increased to 15 seconds, and some senior citizens used to take time to dial a number after lifting the receiver. So far only around 20 houses have availed the facility, mainly those residing alone. "We have also kept a file of the location of these houses. Hence even if we did not receive any message over the hotline call, we could immediately reach the spot," he said.
"Fortunately there was no distress call yet." There would not be any additional financial obligation for the consumers for availing the facility. Only the regular call charges would apply.