UP to get app for smooth traffic

The Uttar Pradesh police is launching a much-hyped traffic app designed to make commuting easy, on Monday.

Noida: The Uttar Pradesh police is launching a much-hyped traffic app designed to make commuting easy, on Monday.

The traffic app will have route maps with information about roads experiencing traffic jams that commuters can avoid) (Salman Ali/HT PHOTO)

The application will have route maps with information about roads experiencing traffic jams that commuters can avoid. It will also display less congested alternative routes for ease of travel.

Commuters can download the application after 4 pm post its launch, to avail of the facility.

Commuters can also upload pictures of traffic jams on the application, which the traffic police will be able to see.

“We can use the information to send our men to the spot to ease the traffic jam. This application will benefit both us and the public. Commuters can get in touch with the traffic police for immediate action. Traffic police will also monitor the application round-the-clock to improve the traffic situation,” said Prabal Pratap Singh, superintendent of police (SP) traffic Gautam Budh Nagar..

However city residents are sceptical about the success of the app. What with the Noida traffic police facing severe shortage of staff and the poor road infrastructure in the city, they doubt how efficiently the app can function.

He added that incidents of traffic violations are in Noida, which also contributes to traffic jams.

“Rhour traffic is managed very badly, as we hardly see traffic personnel at any intersection. Commuters fearlessly jump signals and block movements of others and this is the root cause of traffic jams,” said Sumit Bansal, a commuter on his way to Ghaziabad, stuck in jam in Sector 62.

An intelligent traffic management system (ITMS) across Noida is likely to start in December.

“We are working on ITMS which will bring permanent relief,” said the SP traffic.