Cops undertake data mining for SMS service

Gearing up for the launch of a mobile messaging service that will not only send traffic updates but also notices in case of traffic rule violations, the traffic police has started collecting information to prepare a database of the 28 lakh vehicles in Mumbai. The data is being collected at the petrol pumps across the city simultaneously and the exercise will continue for another fortnight. The information being collected includes the vehicle registration number, and name and contact number of the motorists.

Confirming the development, Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic) Milind Bharambe said that the exercise was an extension of the e-challan system launched last year. “This is an updated version of the previous e-challan system wherein the notifications will be delivered in form of SMS on the mobile phone number provided by the motorist,” said Mr Bharambe.

According to officials, the initiative is aimed at reducing the interaction between the motorist and the constabulary. The state government will also bring in a transparent system by installing 6,000 CCTV cameras at different locations across the city.

Traffic police constable Riya Mane stationed at Hind Automobiles petrol pump, Mahim, said, \"Starting August 1, constables have been stationed at the petrol pumps across Mumbai and assigned the task of collecting the data in the prescribed form. They remain at the pumps from 8 am to 8 pm every day. The data is being collected on two, three and four wheelers, including trucks, tempos and buses.\"

Speaking further on the initiative, Ms Mane said that besides sending traffic updates, the data will help send notices on the mobile number of the motorists found flouting traffic rules.

About the ambitious plan of the city traffic police, Mr Bharambe said that the database would cover 16 lakh two-wheelers, 10 lakh four-wheelers and two lakh three-wheelers, including trucks and tempos in the city. He added that an offending motorist, who receives a message on his mobile phone, would also be directed to pay the fine at the various payment windows all over the city. Such messages would be sent after reviewing the footages on the CCTV cameras being installed by the government across the city. He stated that repeated offenders who did not pay up previous fines might lose their licence.

He also added that the traffic police is in the process of making a mobile app that will not only provide location-based services but also integrate the mobile messaging service.