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New Citizen Sentinel App Unveiled in Kerala for Traffic Monitoring

In a pioneering step to enhance traffic enforcement, Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has launched the Citizen Sentinel mobile app, empowering citizens to actively report traffic violations in real time. This initiative reflects the state's commitment to leveraging technology to promote road safety, creating a collaborative approach between law enforcement and the public.

Key Highlights of the Launch

The Citizen Sentinel app was introduced on 18th October 2024. It enables users to capture photos or videos of traffic offenses and submit them for review by enforcement officials. This innovative app, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), expands the functionality of the mParivahan app, offering new features like uploading media directly from mobile galleries.

State-Wide Adoption

Kerala is the third state in India to implement the mParivahan Citizen Sentinel app, following Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The app’s integration allows local enforcement to benefit from a system that has already proven effective in other regions.

Accessibility and Usage

The NextGen mParivahan app is available for download on both the App Store and Google Play, making it widely accessible. The app’s user-friendly interface allows citizens to easily report infractions through its Citizen Sentinel section.

Features and Functionalities

• Real-Time Reporting: Citizens can submit traffic violation reports with photo or video evidence.

• GPS Integration: GPS technology provides precise location and time data for incidents, which helps enforcement officials verify reports.

• Confidentiality: The app ensures that reporters' identities remain confidential.

• Types of Violations: Offenses that can be reported include speeding, illegal overtaking, triple riding on bikes, lane violations, and not wearing seat belts.

Ministerial Launch and Demonstration

Kerala’s Transport Minister, K B Ganesh Kumar, showcased the app’s functionality by reporting a vehicle parked in a no-parking zone during the launch event. This demonstration highlighted how easy it is for ordinary citizens to contribute to traffic law enforcement.

Strengthening Enforcement and Community Impact

The app aims to address various real-time traffic offenses, including:

• Speeding

• Drunken driving

• Lane violations

• Overcrowding on bikes

With the ability to report these offenses from anywhere, the app helps deter habitual traffic offenders by increasing the unpredictability of enforcement. Complaints received through the app will be forwarded to Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) via a server in Delhi. The authorities must then verify the reports and take action within a specific timeframe.

Future Enhancements and Community Feedback

While the app is in its trial phase, plans for future improvements include the option to upload images from the phone gallery. The final version, which will integrate more robust features, is expected to launch in a few months.

Community leaders, including MLA Uma Thomas and Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar, praised the initiative for its potential to reduce traffic violations. They also requested the MVD to identify spaces for storing confiscated vehicles to prevent congestion.