PUNE: The division-level WhatsApp groups created by Pune Traffic Police to streamline traffic in various parts of the city are witnessing ‘heavy traffic’ with citizens taking to the mobile messaging app to share micro-level issues being faced by them in their immediate neighbourhood. Feedbacks about illegal parking, non-functional traffic signals, bad road conditions and spots where traffic rule violations are rampant are being received by the traffic police on 22 WhatsApp groups created by them to garner response from citizens.The WhatsApp groups -- Pune Traffic Clubs -- were launched across 22 traffic divisions in the city on December 6. In the past few days, hundreds of citizens have joined these groups. Police inspector Ajay Chandkhede of Deccan traffic division, said, “We have been able to identify several locality-specific issues being faced by citizens. While there are several general traffic-related complaints and recommendations, most members are raising issues specific to their immediate neighbourhood. In the five days since launch, we have added 104 members in the Deccan division alone.”Elaborating on the type of complaints and suggestions received by the groups, Chandkhede said, “People are complaining about traffic jams, condition of roads, non-functional signals, parking of vehicles in no-parking zones, among others. For example, people have complained about regular parking of vehicles in no-parking zones. The recommendations include inputs like need for installation of signals at a particular junction or need for P1 and P2 parking at a spot.” Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Tejaswi Satpute said, “People are telling us that earlier there was no means of communicating with the police about specific issues, which is no longer the case. Until now, people directly approached the senior officials but WhatsApp clubs have created a direct channel of communication between residents and the officers in particular areas.”Satpute added that apart from area-specific complaints and recommendations, many citizens have volunteered to streamline traffic. “Right now, people are sharing area-specific problems but we are also urging them to look at city-wide issues in order to streamline the flow of traffic and ensure proper enforcement of rules across the city,” she added.

Stay updated with all the Pune Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.