Team Herald
PANJIM: After Gmail and Facebook, the Goa Traffic Police will soon move to WhatsApp allowing individuals to report traffic violations and expect prompt action from the enforcement team.
The department took the tech policing concept to a new level by not only responding to online complaints, but also to improve traffic management and spread awareness. While it boasts of over 8000 followers on Facebook, SP Traffic Devendra Kumar Mahla claims their Gmail account [email protected], receives on an average 40 mails a day informing of violations.
“People post videos or photos of traffic violations on FB or Gmail account of the Traffic Department. On Gmail itself, we get 40-50 complaints on a daily basis, and we act accordingly,” he told Herald. The officer insisted that complaints should mention the date, time and place of offence to facilitate issuing a notice to the violator as the challan requires these details. Nevertheless, active participation from alert citizens on social media has led to the department issuing 6200 notices from January 2017 till date.
Police on the FB account has nearly 8158 followers and 8175 likes as on Wednesday, and though not regularly, the officials post traffic alerts, action taken against traffic violators, positive initiatives, greetings, etc.
Even as some officers like Director General of Police Muktesh Chander, who served as one of the longest Delhi police chiefs and is involved in streamlining the traffic scenario in Goa, Mahla himself besides others have their own Twitter handle for official purposes.
Mahla said that under the Traffic Control Scheme, they are now trying to connect with people through WhatsApp subject to approval from the higher ups. “Once approved, a common WhatsApp number will be made public wherein people can switch over to this app to report violations. We are there to act. All the social mediums will be operational simultaneously,” he added.
On the ongoing helmet drive, he said, “The vehicles have no brain, use your own. Drive safe, follow traffic rules and be happy.”
The department has made wearing of helmets compulsory for the riders while it is optional for the pillion riders. However, the traffic police insist that both should wear helmets for their safety.
