Cops to attend traffic problems through Facebook

HYDERABAD:  Denizens can now post their traffic problems through Facebook. To know motorists’ and pedestrians problems like traffic snarls, bad roads and other issues, the city traffic police launched their Facebook page on Wednesday. CV Anand, additional commissioner of police (Traffic) who officially launched the Hyderabad Traffic Police page on Facebook said, “Users can post their problems, upload photographs of traffic violation and give suggestions to improve the traffic situation in Hyderabad. Traffic police will respond to posts by Facebook users and take appropriate steps,” said CV Anand. The site is being maintained jointly by traffic police and Omnipolis Hotline Services. An SMS alert service which sends traffic updates to registered users was also launched on the occasion.Anand said they wanted to create traffic awareness among youth and social network websites like Facebook were the best way to reach out to them. Police said around 3,600 users had already added the page to their favourites. “To reach out to people and keep them informed about various traffic initiatives on enforcement, education and engineering, we have decided to launch the Facebook page of Hyderabad Traffic Police. All traffic officers will peruse the Facebook queries regularly and respond on important issues. We will also utilise Telugu to communicate with public on the page,” he added. Anand also said the page may be used to report violations by putting up photographs or videos with details like date, time and location. “The person reporting the violation should also post his name, e-mail ID and mobile number. Violations committed by police and other government vehicles not booked by traffic police can also be reported,” Anand said. People can post their opinions through the ‘Share with us’ link. A free SMS service was also started to alert commuters about traffic jams, live updates and referring alternative routes. The service, called SMS Gupshup assists traffic management in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune and Nagpur. Six different codes- HTP, HTPNORTH, HTPEAST, HTPWEST, HTPSOUTH, HTPCNTRL, HYDPOL have been created to send traffic alerts for the repective areas. For the free SMS alert, one has send an SMS, ‘JOIN ’ to 09219592195, after which the service will be activated. If a user wants to unsubscribe, they have to send ‘LEAVE ’ to 09219592195. Mobiles numbers which have Do Not Disturb service activated cannot use the alert service.