<p>The next time your vehicle is towed away for being improperly parked, don't panic. Just send a message on the WhatsApp number of the Delhi traffic police and you'll get a contact number to find out the whereabouts of your vehicle.<br /></p>.<p>This facility is available on WhatsApp number 8750871493, a helpline launched by the Delhi traffic police.<br /><br />It's just not that. Apart from helping you locate your towed away vehicle, the number can also advise commuters on the route to take to quickly reach their destination.<br /><br />"WhatsApp is our best channel so far to reach commuters. We have a Facebook account, a 1095 helpline number and a Twitter account, but among them all, WhatsApp has turned out to be our best medium to interact with commuters," Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander told IANS.<br /><br />The traffic police, which already has a strong social media presence with over 250,000 followers on its Facebook page, launched the WhatsApp helpline on October 16, 2014, to further connect with the citizens.<br /><br />The idea was not only to connect with the people but to also involve them in resolving traffic-related problems.<br /><br />Through WhatsApp, people were encouraged to send audio/visual complaints of traffic violations, unauthorised parking, faulty traffic signals and other such problems.<br /><br />But after a few months, the traffic police found that many harried commuters were largely seeking help about their towed away vehicles.<br /><br />Officials said the medium has become a quick and effective way to redress the concerns of distressed commuters.<br />Chander, while giving an example of the popularity of the WhatsApp medium, said police were able to identify a chain snatcher after receiving a video clipping of the<br />crime taking place.<br />"A youth was fleeing on his motorbike after snatching a chain from a woman. Someone made a video of the incident and sent it to us on our WhatsApp number. We were able to identify the snatcher and soon arrested him," Chander said.<br /><br />He said commuters can also use the number to complain about overcharging, refusal or misbehaviour by auto or taxi drivers.<br /><br />"A complaint can also be sent on this number. Rest assured, we will take speedy action on this," the police officer added.<br /><br />"Anyone can send a photograph or short video clip with details like their name, place, date and time through the WhatsApp number after finding a faulty traffic signal or<br />about any other traffic-related issue," he said.<br /><br />Chander said Delhi Police have been making concerted efforts to utilize the potential of WhatsApp to reach out to the citizens and also for effective communication among themselves.<br /><br />An inspector and around 25 traffic police officers monitor the 24x7 helpline.<br />The WhatsApp number received 83,885 responses between October 17, 2014 and April 15, 2015, of which 7,681 were actionable complaints.</p>
<p>The next time your vehicle is towed away for being improperly parked, don't panic. Just send a message on the WhatsApp number of the Delhi traffic police and you'll get a contact number to find out the whereabouts of your vehicle.<br /></p>.<p>This facility is available on WhatsApp number 8750871493, a helpline launched by the Delhi traffic police.<br /><br />It's just not that. Apart from helping you locate your towed away vehicle, the number can also advise commuters on the route to take to quickly reach their destination.<br /><br />"WhatsApp is our best channel so far to reach commuters. We have a Facebook account, a 1095 helpline number and a Twitter account, but among them all, WhatsApp has turned out to be our best medium to interact with commuters," Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander told IANS.<br /><br />The traffic police, which already has a strong social media presence with over 250,000 followers on its Facebook page, launched the WhatsApp helpline on October 16, 2014, to further connect with the citizens.<br /><br />The idea was not only to connect with the people but to also involve them in resolving traffic-related problems.<br /><br />Through WhatsApp, people were encouraged to send audio/visual complaints of traffic violations, unauthorised parking, faulty traffic signals and other such problems.<br /><br />But after a few months, the traffic police found that many harried commuters were largely seeking help about their towed away vehicles.<br /><br />Officials said the medium has become a quick and effective way to redress the concerns of distressed commuters.<br />Chander, while giving an example of the popularity of the WhatsApp medium, said police were able to identify a chain snatcher after receiving a video clipping of the<br />crime taking place.<br />"A youth was fleeing on his motorbike after snatching a chain from a woman. Someone made a video of the incident and sent it to us on our WhatsApp number. We were able to identify the snatcher and soon arrested him," Chander said.<br /><br />He said commuters can also use the number to complain about overcharging, refusal or misbehaviour by auto or taxi drivers.<br /><br />"A complaint can also be sent on this number. Rest assured, we will take speedy action on this," the police officer added.<br /><br />"Anyone can send a photograph or short video clip with details like their name, place, date and time through the WhatsApp number after finding a faulty traffic signal or<br />about any other traffic-related issue," he said.<br /><br />Chander said Delhi Police have been making concerted efforts to utilize the potential of WhatsApp to reach out to the citizens and also for effective communication among themselves.<br /><br />An inspector and around 25 traffic police officers monitor the 24x7 helpline.<br />The WhatsApp number received 83,885 responses between October 17, 2014 and April 15, 2015, of which 7,681 were actionable complaints.</p>