Vizag police launch ‘Astram’ app to tackle traffic issues in the city

Visakhapatnam city police launches 'Astram' traffic monitoring app to tackle growing traffic issues with real-time updates.

Minister for Home V. Anitha on Sunday (June 8) launched ‘Astram’, a traffic monitoring app designed by the Visakhapatnam City Police, during a programme at the police conference hall here. She was accompanied by Commissioner of Police Shankabratha Bagchi, Deputy Commissioner of Police V. Ajitha and a few others.

Ms. Anitha said the city police have been trying to ensure a smoother traffic, and the app was being launched keeping in view the interests of public. She said that with the city growing by leaps and bounds, traffic issues have become a major problem and the government was using technology to tackle it.

Mr. Shankabratha Bagchi said Visakhapatnam is the only city after Bengaluru, where the ‘Astram’ app will be used by the police as well as public. Though the app was launched in Vijayawada earlier, it is only being used by the police.

He said that the public can get real-time updates about the traffic in the city using the app, which will can be downloaded from the Play Store. He said field officers and traffic police on duty will report traffic situations in their localities to the control room, and the data will be integrated and further shared on the app on real time.

The officer added that the app allows an analysis of the cause of the traffic congestions—whether it is a vehicle breakdown, road accident, road design issue or signal problem. The police can analyse and come up with solution, he opined.

He said the app will also helps design green channels during VIP movements and transportation of body organs during emergencies.