Balloons to monitor Delhi traffic

Police flight of fancy only for Cwealth Games

High-resolution cameras installed on aerostat balloons will capture real-time images and relay them to the police.

High-resolution PTZ-pan, tilt and zoom-cameras will be installed on the balloons filled with helium gas, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S N Shrivastava told Deccan Herald here on Friday.

While the traffic constable manning a road cannot monitor the entire stretch from one point, camera-equipped balloons will be extremely helpful as they are the best option for viewing large areas, according to Shrivastava.

Trials of the instruments were held at two places – India Gate and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – and the results were found to be successful.  If the method proves helpful, police may permanently use it during other important events in the city.

In view of the Commonwealth Games – to be held in October, 2010 – the police have already started identifying traffic bottleneck areas where the equipment can be installed.
Delhi is infamous for its traffic bottlenecks as the number of vehicles plying on the clogged city roads has crossed 58 lakh. In addition, there are more than a lakh vehicles coming from neighbouring states into the city everyday.

With at least 1,000 new vehicles getting registered daily, the traffic police are grappling for a solution.