Tap an app to know Salt Lake crowd surge: Bidhannagar cops

KOLKATA: The Bidhannagar Police has introduced an app in which revellers can check the real-time crowd count at pandals in Salt Lake, Lake Town, Kestopur, Baguiati and other areas under the Bidhannagar commissionerate. The app — QU — will warn with colour codes of red, green and yellow to help people decide whether to avoid or visit a pandal.
“We are asking all Puja organizers under our commissionerate’s jurisdiction to register themselves on the free app. They will have to engage volunteers at the entry and exit points to update the crowd count. The app will calculate and show real-time data and help people avoid large crowds,” said Dhritiman Sarkar, deputy commissioner (traffic) of Bidhannagar city police.
Developed by two Kolkata-based entrepreneurs — Lalima Chakraborty and Rachit Mehrotra — QU can also be used to book slots for Puja rituals like anjali and sindoor khela at registered pandals.
“So far, 50 Puja organizers in the Bidhannagar area have registered with us. We are also approaching some big-ticket pujas in Kolkata. Organizers at Ahirotola Sarbojonin, Kashi Bose Lane and some other major pujas in north Kolkata have already registered with us,” Chakraborty said. Puja organizers lauded the initiative and said it will help them control the crowdss. “The app will help us organize a safe puja this year,” said Pratik Chowdhury of Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra.