Solving traffic woes via WhatsApp

In Indiranagar, collaboration between residents and traffic police is creating a model for rest of the city
Solving traffic woes via WhatsApp

BENGALURU: Residents of Indiranagar are playing an active role in solving traffic issues of their neighborhood. They and the local police are working together through an active WhatsApp group.
Residents uploads pictures and report traffic violations on the group such as parking in no parking areas, riding without helmets, to name a few. Police personnel from the Halasuru and Jeevanbheema Nagar are very quick to respond to such news, say residents.

The joint initative has had a tremendous impact. For example, the prepaid auto stand near the Indiranagar metro station is now more  pedestrian friendly. Earlier the whole area around was a quagmire of vehicles.  The popular 100 feet  road has also become a  zero traffic tolerance area with citizens constantly reminding the police about traffic violations on this particular road.

Praveen, the creator of the WhatsApp group says, “I started this group sometime last year and added some pro-active residents who were concerned about the traffic and parking related issues in Indiranagar. There are other groups for BWSSB, BESCOM and BBMP. The initative has been very helpful for residents,” says, Praveen.The group was not this active earlier, however after ACP traffic, Kasim Raja was added to the group it results started to show, say residents. “Even our minor traffic issues are solved immediately,” says Vani, another local resident. “We have to help police to solve our problems instead of going against them,” she adds.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R Hithendra says, “If people are active and work together with us, then there is no issue that cannot be solved”. He further adds, “It is also the proactive inspector of the particular area and other policemen who should be commended. Further, I will ask all my DCPs to be more active and communicate with residents.”

Yogesh, Ulsoor traffic inspector who is proactive on group says, “The collaboration has also helped the police find out of many violations that we would probably have not known.” Yogesh has also motivated his constables to step up, say residents.“We have taken lot of suggestions and feedback from both the residents and our constables on our work,”Yogesh adds.

Rajkumar, President, Indiranagar Welfare Association, says, “This is the best use of the social media I can think of in recent times in the locality. “This unique active group has been the answer to traffic woes caused by these establishments. This can be applied to other residential problems as well,”he adds.
Indiranagar has recently seen protests over commercialisation and violations by bar and restaurants.

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