Exclusive: BSNL allocates new toll free short code '1517' as 'Child Helpline' to all State Goverments and Union Territories of India

India's National Telecom Backbone Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), launches a new toll free short code - '1517' as Child Helpline to all States and UTs of India.

BSNL opened this new short code as per the directions of DOT as a Category-1 Service. This new short code - 1517 can be used as Child helpline number to all State Governments & union territories of India.

The short code 1517 will be opened in all Local Exchanges, TDM Tax / IP Tax / Soft Switches / Mobile MSC / GMSC / WLL MSC of all Telecom circles. STD code + 1517  will also be opened for inter-circle calls.

As a Category-1 service, this service may also be introduced by other service providers in India. National AIDS Helpline Number '1517', is available across all circles and the calls from other service providers may be routed to BSNL as per existing inter connect agreement charges. 

Features of National Child Helpline Number 1517 are :

• Category-l service' ( i.e. mandatory service to be provided by at the Access providers )
• Accessibility: Un-restricted, i.e. available on STD also
• Metered Service: Called party pays.

Recently, BSNL opened the following new toll free short codes as per the directions of DOT in a similar manner.

• 15105 - for Postal Complaints to Department of Posts

• 155214 - for Labour Helpline

• 1097 - for National AIDS Helpline to NACO (National AIDS Control Organization) 

• 15106 to Metro Heart Institute (Delhi NCR) Helpline 

This is really a good move by DOT & BSNL and we may hope these new helpline numbers will be very much helpful to ordinary people in India.