Ranchi traffic police is planning to utilise the services of online media in order to facilitate public interaction and streamline traffic system in the city.
A Traffic Enforcement Room will be set up shortly to act as a link between denizens and traffic police via the popular modes of communication, namely social media websites, instant messaging apps, websites and an Android app in this case.
“Usually, people have to go for telephonic conversations in order to convey their grievances pertaining to traffic in the city. With online means of communication, not only will their complaints be registered swiftly but a more efficient record of these complaints can be maintained. This will in turn help us in ensuring their swift and sure resolution,” said Traffic SP Kartik S.
He added, “We can also determine the performance of our traffic police personnel based on the data derived from these records.”
The traffic enforcement centre will be maintaining a Facebook page and WhatsApp account on behalf of Ranchi traffic police department where commuters can share information regarding traffic status in various parts of the city. The Android app is being tested for initial glitches which are being sorted out and the website is almost completed, informed the Traffic SP.
The Traffic Enforcement Room will also facilitate the e-challan system, which was launched in Ranchi earlier this year. Under this digital fining system, traffic tickets can be submitted online through net-banking or in designated centres. But the scope of e-challan will be extended beyond collecting fines, said Traffic SP.
“We are also planning to include columns for driver’s license details in challans. As the data entered in e-challans is stored in a central server, the details of traffic offenders can be retrieved easily. This will help us in accessing the driving history of a particular driver or rider which will be crucial in driver’s license approval,” he said. He further said, “The infrastructure and software required for these initiatives to begin are nearing completion. Acute manpower crunch was an obstacle we faced but we are attending to that. We intend to flag off these projects within 15-20 days.”
The second phase of traffic awareness campaign is to be kicked off along with the launch of Traffic Enforcement Room. “This time we are focussing on an important stakeholder in ensuring better traffic system in the city: the schools. We will also be publicising traffic status with the help of FM radio channels,” informed the Traffic SP.