Over 85K complaints on Delhi Traffic Police's WhatsApp

New Delhi, Apr 19: Delhi Traffic Police has received nearly 85,000 complaints regarding traffic violations and related issues on its WhatsApp helpline which was launched in October last year and so far action has been taken in over 7,500 of them after due verification.

This WhatsApp helpline number 8750871493 was launched on October 16 last year.

"Since its inception, 84,621 complaints relating to obstructive parking, traffic jam, traffic violation, defective traffic signals, breakdown of vehicles, misbehave/ refusal/ overcharging by auto drivers and suggestions for improving smooth flow of traffic on Delhi roads have been received," Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander said.

Of these, 7,738 complaints were found actionable and necessary action has been taken on them, he added.

Apart from receiving complaints/suggestions through messages, pictures and video clips, the WhatsApp helpline can be used if anybody's vehicle is towed away for improper parking, and he would be sent a contact number on the whereabouts of the vehicle and would also be helped with the shortest possible route to reach the spot.

"Introduction of WhatsApp in Delhi Traffic Police proved a good platform for interaction with public and we are overwhelmed by its success in connecting with Delhiites. The services are available in Hindi and English round the clock as an inspector and around 25 traffic police officers monitor it 24x7," Chander said.

The traffic police already have a strong social media presence with over 2,50,000 followers on its Facebook page and 3 lakh followers on Twitter.

PTI