4–10 May 2012
The page has been Liked by over 7,000 people; and there is a constant posting of user-generated pictures, comments, likes and suggestions by Gurgaon residents. DCP Traffic Bharti Arora says that she started the Facebook page to get in touch with road users in the City. “Since a large number of people in Gurgaon are net savvy, we thought that it would help us in connecting with the people,” says Arora. She is clearly happy with the decision. Since the start of the Gurgaon Traffic Police page, the interaction between the police and road users has increased enormously. “We are constantly seeking suggestions and ideas from the people, about ways to improve the traffic movement, to remove traffic bottlenecks, and to better implement the laws,” says Arora. The Facebook page sees almost two thousand visitors daily. Many, apart from posting photos and making suggestions, also report violations taking place in the City. ASI Attar Singh, who is part of the team managing the Facebook account, says that many times people take photos of those violating traffic laws, and post them on the page. “We take action against violators as per the law. A number of challans have been issued by the police through Facebook. We have even challaned prominent people, and even policemen, for violating rules,” says Singh. The Facebook page is updated thrice a day by the Traffic Police team, says Computer Operator Sunil Kumar, who reveals interesting statistics about the users. “We have a steady traffic – between 2 to 3 thousand people regularly. The total Likes the page has is 7,283, and the weekly reach is almost 13,000”, informs Kumar. He is charged with maintaining the dialogue process with road users, and ensuring that people get the latest traffic updates and information. The Facebook users, on the other hand, are also happy with the initiative of the Traffic Police. They opine that the Facebook Page gives them a common space to share ideas and views, and complain to the traffic authorities. It also gives them a semblance of power, as a united mass that can discuss issues collectively – without losing their individual identities. Satyendra Kumar
The Likeable
post says : Special drive was launched on Saturday (i.e. 28.04.2012) against Maruti Trailers. During this drive, 6 trailers were impounded, because they had violated the ‘no entry’ rules. This post immediately elicited 44 Likes, and 18 people posted comments on the page commending the decision. Most of the people appreciated the decision, while exhorting the police to carry out more such drives in other parts of Gurgaon. Rana Chatterjee wrote: Please do this drive on Sohna road..the road has become a parking spot for trailers in the evenings.. Amit Kumar Setiya wrote on the same page: Sir would only appreciate if it is a regular exercise...because these guys have a tradition to break d rules at will... come to any time at bata circle...I m sure u ll see at least one trailer...it is coz maruti Suzuki being one of the biggest corporate house in INDIA does not give a damn to rules...if anyone has single pinch of doubt in mind... Plz stay for 6-8 hours at bata circle n u ll know d truth... It is however a different matter that
Private Municipality { Hritvick Sen / FG }
W
hen does a private builder turn into a developer? When it moves beyond what has been prescribed, and starts creating civic and civil infrastructure. Admittedly what DLF is doing in its Phases is of benefit to its residents and itself; but the civic run-offs are of use to the hoi polloi around it, too. Over time, DLF has spread its development activity outside its Colony walls. Thursday marked another of its ventures, when DLF launched the extension of its SmartRide buses. In its own Phases, the developer is taking over the role of the Municipal Corporation/HUDA, by providing civic amenities and maintenance. Whether it is the case of the Metro-feeder buses designed to cut down on traffic jams, the Rapid Metro, the upcoming fire station, or even the CCTV cameras scanning the roads – everything says that the developer is taking its role seriously.
Sewage Treatment Plant:
This Plant is situated next to the DLF Icon Towers in Phase-V. “As of now, the Plant is purifying 6 MLD (millions of li-
tres of water a day), from its 9 MLD capacity,” says a DLF official. But the Plant will have its capacity upgraded to 16 MLD very soon. The Plant is cleaning up the dirty water from almost every building in DLF Phase-V. The water is then reused, says VicePresident (Maintenance) Col. (Retd) S.S Malik. “In Icon and other buildings, we have a separate system installed, which uses the STP water for flushing and other uses – saving millions of litres of fresh water. And we’re installing more machines, which will ensure the water will be almost as good as drinking water,” he claims.
Fire Station:
This will probably be the first private fire station in North India. The upcoming facility is the developer’s answer to the handicap of the City’s fire
ace
the Gurgaon Traffic Police had to take excessive heat from the higher-ups, for taking action against the Maruti trailers! One of the top officials in Gurgaon Police not only reprimanded the traffic department, but a posse of Maruti officials also landed up in the office of DCP Traffic on Tuesday (May 1), soon after. They ostensibly came to resolve the issue amicably, a highly-placed insider witness to this episode revealed. In an interesting take on the state of Gurgaon’s road infrastructure, Avinash Haldia has posted: GTP has power to challan anybody who obstruct traffic. For potholes, it can challan MCG, DLF, Ansals, etc. It can even challan people who have built gates on public roads, disrupting traffic. The spirit of the social media is to unite the people and connect them for a cause, and the traffic police knows it well. DCP Traffic Bharati Arora says that they have put many issues on the public domain, using Facebook – like the movement against drunken driving, driving without helmets, illegal parking, overloading in shared autos, and similar issues. “We are also prompt in answering the queries of people, and acting on their complaints,” says Arora. This initiative of the Gurgaon Traffic Police is being appreciated by the higher authorities, and it is likely that it will be introduced in the other districts of the State. A manual of traffic violations, and the fines to be paid, has also been posted on Facebook. On this issue, Manoj Kaushik writes on the page: “A Proposal to GTP: Please charge 4 times the usual challan money, if a traffic police personal seen violating rules. It is common to see such sights in Gurgaon,these include some officers also. They are making the task of GTP difficult, which, otherwise genuinely working to improve the Gurgaon Traffic Scenario.” This and several such proposals and
has been following this initiative of the Traffic Police for long, and he says that many issues have come into the public domain because of this social media tool. The decision to make DLF Galleria road one way has been discussed on the GTP Facebook page quite candidly. “It helps us make suggestions, and participate in the decision making process. It is a great way to democratise the government organisation,” he says. So strong is the people connectivity with this page, that people respond instantly – as soon as a post is put by the Traffic Police officials. A recent
PRAKHAR PANDEY
Contd from p 1
C ivic/S ocial
department. Originally asked for by the fire department, as their high-lifts were unable to reach the top floors, DLF has ordered for snorkels (the ladder on fire engines) that can reach well over 100 metres. Plus, their new fire Chief will be none other than the recently-retired Chief of the Gurgaon Fire Station, Hanuman Chandra Sihag. As of now, the fire engines have been ordered and the staff is undergoing training. Will the fire station cater to emergencies of other builders and public areas? Certainly, say officials, adding that the details are being worked out.
CCTV Cameras:
In what can be termed as the nearest approximation to ‘eye in the sky’, the CCTV cameras in and around Phase I and Phase-V keep an electronic eye on everything that goes around inside as well as outside the DLF area. Also, some cameras that are installed at the top of the DLF skyscrapers keep an active eye on the roads. All this footage is readily accessible by the City’s police. The transmission is wireless and direct, to the Central Control Room, and is then patched into the City police’s scanners. “The cameras are very powerful,” says Malik.
Sweeper Trucks:
Within this month, DLF is going to launch state-of-the-art sweeper trucks, to keep its streets clean. Made by
09
suggestions have been made by people to the Gurgaon Police, through the Facebook page. DCP Arora says that it is the objective of the traffic police to channelise the public discourse, so that the traffic conditions on the roads are improved. In the recent dispute between DS Constructions, that operates the toll plaza on National Highway 8, and the road users, the Gurgaon Traffic Police constantly updated the people about latest developments. In a post on January 31, GTP posts: Now DS Construction filed a civil writ petition no. 717/2012 in Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court against Gurgaon Traffic Police to restrain the Gurgaon Traffic Police from opening up boom barriers at Sirhol Toll Plaza. Gurgaon Traffic Police open the boom barriers only when congestion reaches beyond a particular line in the larger interest of the public. We request road users & facebook users for their comments/reactions on this. In reply, a number of users have expressed thanks to the traffic police, while seeking action against the toll operator. Karan Gupta writes that DS should be penalised for deviating from the approved plan, and making unplanned modifications to the stretch. In the same vein, Amit Tanwar writes: The toll company is earning so much , started off with 13 rupees fir the toll and in less than 3 yrs hiked it to 21 bucks. More than 80% hike. Please also get an understanding from them as to how much was their estimate on toll revenues per day and how much they are making. Also, when is this road going to be taken off the toll? I remember one person had filed a case as he was asked towing charges by this company despite this being a toll road. Greed at it’s best, I would say. SI Attar Singh says that he never thought Facebook could be such an empowering tool. “It has encouraged both the people and police to open up to new ideas, and share them for the greater good of the society,” he says. In addition, this social media tool has helped in channelising the power of the Gurgaonites, despite the immense diversity of the local populace. Facebook has helped to improve the public discourse, and it is likely to help in making Gurgaon roads safer and friendlier, aver many users. u an Ambala firm, these trucks will have high-suction vacuum cleaners fitted atop their carriages. High-speed brushes will channel the daily dirt and filth inside the suction area, leaving the roads in PhaseV neat and clean.
Feeder Bus Service:
Originally designed to lessen the chaotic mess at DLF’s Cyber City, this service has been extended, to provide easy commuting to DLF residents in and around the Phase I and Phase V areas. It is a logical extension, says a DLF official. “The buses will touch DLF properties, malls and most-visited places. Commuters will have smart-cards, to save paper in tickets, and an attendant and on-board CCTV coverage will ensure the safety of passengers at all times.” What is the bigger picture behind DLF’s activities? A DLF official comments, “A few years ago, it was true that we had slacked, and there were timeline and delivery issues. The management decided to take control, and pro-actively ensure quality civic services. Essentially, if our areas are well-managed, the word-of-mouth will be as good. If people get good and prompt service, they will give good opinions and reviews. We are a developer, and these activities benefit our customers and the public at large – besides creating trust in us.” u