With new smart devices, Bengaluru cops to go cashless

With classic BlackBerry keyboard devices becoming obsolete in the market and Bengaluru moving fast towards cashless transactions, the city traffic police have decided to hand a new smartphone device to traffic police which will help them accept fines with the swipe of a credit- debit card.

The BlackBerry handsets used earlier by the traffic policemen for enforcement will be replaced with personal digital assistants under B-TRAC phase-two. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R Hithedra said, "A couple of mobile phone companies have approached our department with device options. The new device will be introduced at the beginning of January."

At present, there are 612 BlackBerry devices in the department to collect spot fines. Connected with a Bluetooth printer, they are used by police inspectors, sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors of the city.

Cubbon Park traffic police inspector Prathap Reddy N said that currently 11 BlackBerry devices are being used by ASIs and officers in ranks above at his station. He complains that the device gives technical problems during crucial times. "If the new device comes with updated technology, well-linked to the RTO and a tech-savvy swipe option, it will be good for both the officials and the public. Cashless fine will bring more transparency to the system," noted Reddy .

Ever since demonetisation, the traffic police have reduced imposition of spot fines as citizens have been complaining about the shortage of new currency . Hence, the department feels it is the right time to introduce the device and go cashless.

Electronic City traffic police inspector Made Gowda recalled, "BlackBerry was introduced in 2008 to replace the hand written carbon copy slips to bring down corruption and catch repeated traffic viola tors. The BlackBerry tender, which ended in June this year, was extended for six months. Even before demonetisation, most techies working in the area had been asking for swiping options to pay the fine."

With this new digital de vice, the money will go di rectly into the official ac count. Police personnel won't need to make manual bank deposits. The device will also display previous offences like a cancelled driving licence due to drunken driving or more such. Registration database from the transport department will also be linked to the automated enforcement centre here.