Delhi traffic police’s SMS alerts a huge hit

NEW DELHI - Its Twitter and Facebook accounts have thousands of followers. Now, the Delhi traffic police’s SMS alert service on traffic jams and diversion updates, launched three days ago, has already logged 21,240 subscribers with a majority describing it as a “world class service”.

The traffic police launched the free SMS service July 16 to help people plan their travel in the city.

“We have received requests for traffic alerts from about 21,240 people and the number is increasing,” said a traffic police officer, who manages the traffic helpline.

For subscribing to the service, one has to SMS “Join DTP” to 09219592195.

The users can also unsubscribe to the facility, for which one has to send a text message “Leave DTP” to 09219592195.

Those who have subscribed to the traffic alert service are praising the initiative.

“I have subscribed to this facility and have got three alerts since Monday morning… this is world class. Well done,” said Amit Agarwal, who has also registered on the traffic police’s Facebook profile.

“It is a good move. Good use of technology for the community,” said B.N. Nagpal, another subscriber.

The traffic police had joined Twitter and Facebook last month to network better with the public and seek help in improving traffic in the city in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

It has over 14,000 Facebook fans, who daily upload photographs of offenders with the date, time and place of offence.