Amidst Monsoon Fury, Techies Turn Traffic Volunteers

Hyderabad: Several techies and professionals working, who are also members of the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) have joined the police as traffic volunteers in their relentless efforts in rain relief and regulating traffic.

Meanwhile, traffic personnel in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda commissionerates have gone beyond their call of duty clearing water logging areas, clearing trash accumulated at water outlets during the past week of monsoon. The rain fury also witnessed the close collaboration of the police and volunteers particularly in the city's IT Corridor.

Madhapur traffic inspector G Narsaiah operating from the IT corridor says that if people follow the traffic rules, most of the roads will have a free traffic flow. “ We urge people to avoid driving in the wrong direction, not jump signals. Just by following these basic things, roads can be made free of traffic blocks,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Constable T. Ragunandan of Uppal Traffic PS under Rachakonda along with his colleagues have been manning the badly affected road from Uppal towards Boduppal. “ As there is no walkway for pedestrians, they try to walk on the road for safety. We are guiding them to walk or cross the roads safely without causing much disruption to the traffic flow,” he adds.

Further, Home Guard P. Surendra and Constable Nageshwar Rao of Chilkalguda traffic PS, Hyderabad, who were seen in the viral video clearing a water way clogged with trash, say traffic was heavy and water was logging in the spot, obstructing traffic flow. “ Even for the concerned department to come to the spot, it might take some time and it will increase the traffic jams and also put people in trouble. We tried to clear the trash and soon the water started flowing, clearing the way for the traffic flow,” they said.

Nisha Karki, a freelancer, says that it’s her passion to serve the society that is making her want to be a part of the SCSC and in its traffic forum to assist the police department. “ Since traffic management is the need of the house, we took it as a priority and joined the police,” she adds.

Another volunteer Aroop Nimmagadda working for an MNC says most of the traffic blocks are due to now following road discipline including by those working in MNCs. “ We try to educate road users on the road discipline and are also helping police in traffic regulation during the rains.

DCP Traffic - I Cyberabad Harshvardhan said, “ Traffic Volunteers from SCSC stepped up as Monsoon Warriors to help Cyberabad Traffic Police in managing Traffic congestion resulting from heavy downpour and water logging in several parts of Cyberabad.” He also encouraged others also to join as Traffic volunteers in the Cyberabad Commissionerate.

Rajendra Prasad K, Associate Director SCSC says multiple teams of volunteers are on the ground assisting the police at various affected locations. “ It’s just a sense of responsibility towards our people and the satisfaction we get. If there is free traffic flow, people will reach home soon and our travel time will also decrease. It’s a win-win situation for all of us,” he says.

He also adds that in addition to the encouragement from Cyberabad police, organisations are also encouraging employees to join them and the time spent on volunteering is also recorded in their service records. “ Some even reward the employees also,” he says.