Surat cops begin testing two-way public address system

SURAT: City police have started testing a unique two-way public address system at crossroads through which they will share information about traffic rules and details related to law and order with people and also hear their chatter. Police control room receives video footages through a network of over 600 CCTV cameras in the city, but with the new system it will also get to hear audio from the spots as well.
Testing of the system is going on at the crossroads near the city police commissionerate at Athwalines. Police are announcing traffic rules at regular intervals from the police control room. A car driver with closed window can also listen clearly the announcement because the volume of the loudspeaker remains loud. Many commuters stopped their vehicles to hear complete instructions coming from the loudspeaker installed at the existing poles alongside CCTV cameras on Sunday. Incidentally, the testing began at a time when new traffic rules with steep fine for violations have been made effective.
“We have started testing of this unique two-way system. Not only police control room can give instructions, but hear the audio from the spot as well thanks to this system,” said Ashok Kanungo, secretary, Traffic Education Trust that manages the CCTV infrastructure in the city.
“Many time, people come to make representations at police commissioner’s office. Through this, they can be instructed and organized. Furthermore, police control room can also hear the audio of the prevailing situation at the spot,” he added.
“It has been started as a trial project. We are still testing the system. A decision on it will be taken after its thorough testing by senior police officers who may also look at its different aspects,” said J K Pandya, assistant commissioner of police, control room.