
Student traffic volunteer initiative restarts in twin cities
2
Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate police on Monday reintroduced the student traffic volunteer (STV) initiative, which had been suspended since 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Under the initiative, 53 college students, including 23 female volunteers, have been enlisted to support traffic management operations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Commissioner of police S Dev Datta Singh said, "The STV initiative will enhance traffic management and encourage community participation in maintaining road discipline."
Of the volunteers, 35 will be positioned at traffic junctions in Bhubaneswar, while 18 will serve in Cuttack, police sources said.
Each volunteer will work for a minimum of 3 hours daily, receiving Rs 200 as compensation. Volunteers have the flexibility to choose their duty timings and locations.
"Volunteers will collaborate with existing traffic police to strengthen road safety measures and ensure better adherence to traffic rules. Their responsibilities encompass managing traffic flow, helping pedestrians cross roads safely, and notifying authorities of traffic violations," additional CP Narasingha Bhol said.
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The STV programme addresses the shortage of staff in the capital's traffic police wing, which currently has about 500 personnel. Despite significant growth in the city's area and vehicle population, the number of traffic police personnel remains inadequate. Singh recently submitted a proposal to the govt requesting additional personnel for crime control and traffic management.
The STV scheme, introduced in Jan 2017 in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, encourages student participation in traffic regulation.
It also aimed to address staff shortages while offering students opportunities for self-reliance and disciplinary learning.
Before its suspension, 400 college students in Bhubaneswar and 200 in Cuttack were supporting traffic management operations.
The revival of the programme follows the March launch of the 'traffic warden' system in Bhubaneswar, where ex-servicemen regulate traffic at various city intersections.

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