Police launch community portal

The portal is the second phase of Police Connect, a community care initiative by Manthan Systems. It aims to create awareness among the people and provide them a forum to connect with traffic police. The first phase of Police Connect was launched on August 25, 2010.

Commissioner of Police Jyotiprakash Mirji and Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Praveen Sood launched the portal. Sood felt that only a combined effort by all stakeholders could solve the traffic issue.

The initiative has two objects - to look into the welfare of the traffic police by providing them a few essentials, and to create a common forum that will keep citizens better informed for hassle-free commuting. It will keep people abreast of the changes and the announcements made by the traffic police to ease gridlock on the City’s roads.

Atul Jalan, Managing Director of Manthan Systems, believes that corporates and citizens alone cannot transform the traffic situation. “A little understanding and cooperation are essential to make the City a better place to commute,” he said.

With 3.8 million vehicles along 4,200 km of its roads, Bangalore has the second highest vehicle population in India, after Delhi. People cannot stand the traffic for even half an hour, but a traffic policeman is exposed to it for hours together, everyday. There are only about 3,200 traffic police personnel to manage eight million people and 3.8 million vehicles. That is to say, one traffic policeman monitors 1,200 vehicles.

On the occasion, 300 kits, consisting an all weather jacket, an umbrella, a pair of sun glasses and a pack of disposable face masks, were distributed among policemen.
Also, 100 uniquely designed metal barricades were gifted to the traffic police.

One has to subscribe to the announcements to have regular updates on traffic diversions, new regulations like one-ways, blocked-off roads during festivals, etc. Sector-specific traffic alerts will inform on traffic jams. The service will be free, Manthan Systems said.