Working on Chatbot for emergency assistance: BTP

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Following the launch of AI-powered smart traffic system, ASTraM recently in the city, the traffic police department are currently working on developing a chatbot where the citizens can report accident cases.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, MN Anucheth, explained that in case of an accident, the first hour after the trauma is referred to as the golden period as emergency care is critical to the victims during that time.

In order to enhance this emergency medical care, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) is working on a chatbot to receive the information from citizens.

The BTP already has a Telegram-based mobile application (Field Officer BOT) which is used by field officers for updates about road conditions like accidents, tree falls, flooding, and even traffic congestion.

The photos taken and uploaded on the mobile application automatically goes to the backend, which then helps in ASTraM (Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management).

While the public can eventually also report on road conditions through the bot, the initial priority would be reporting accidents, said Anucheth.

The bot will be available on Telegram as there is no provision yet to use WhatsApp for government services.

The bot is expected to be functional shortly. The traffic police currently have an app called BTP Public Eye, which enlists the help of citizens in curbing traffic violations and improving road safety.

It is designed to be easy to navigate and user-friendly. Citizens can click pictures of violations, include relevant details, and post them on the app. These complaints are then checked by the traffic police.

If they are found to be valid, the violator is penalised according to the prescribed fines.

For the violation to be considered valid, the vehicle registration number as well as the violation committed should be visible in the pictures uploaded.

If the complaint does not meet the required validity parameters, it is rejected by the police.