lying defunct for nearly a year now, various traffic updates through SMSs, Facebook and Twitter by the Delhi Traffic Police might soon be resumed. The initiatives which included updates through interactive websites, social networking sites and SMSs are expected to get a revival with ‘value addition’. These facilities were started at the time of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
According to the officials, an all-new interactive website would be launched which will be accessible through both computers as well as from smart phones. Besides, for quick and easy access, a mobile application for the same is also under process. Sources said that this is being done in wake of poor response to the department’s existing website, which is not at all appealing and informative to the users.
Apart from this, the facility of traffic updates through SMSs, which was suspended six months ago, will also be restarted. Explaining the reason for the suspension of this service, a senior traffic police official said, “The SMS service was becoming an expensive affair for us. Therefore, we had to suspend it. We had to pay about two paise per message which now suddenly has gone up to around 20 paise. We are trying to revive it with the help of a private party.”
The Delhi Traffic Police’s attempt to stay in touch with the commuters through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have also been inactive from long time. The police, through this medium, had aimed to apprise people about traffic jams, diversions, breakdowns and road block. Moreover, other than catching traffic violators, VIPs and policemen, it also acted as a forum where people could give suggestions for better traffic control and policing. On asking about being active through these websites, the official said, “We have directed our officials to become more active on social networking sites, so that it facilitates and improves communication between commuters and cops.”
The commuters had thought that this initiative of the traffic police will bring help them in lots way, but gradually now, their experience has rather turned into a bitter one. “I had posted a query and a complaint three months ago, but never got a response from them,” complained Gargi Mondal, a regular commuter in the Capital.