Traffic cops start free SMS alert on jams

At a press conference on Friday,deputy commissioner of police (traffic control branch) Manoj Patil said,“If people wish to get free SMS alerts,they just have to SMS ‘JOIN PTP’ to 09219592195. They will receive a message that the service has started. If people want to unsubscribe,they have to text ‘LEAVE PTP’ to the same number.”

People can also subscribe to the service via the Facebook page of the traffic police. Patil said,“People just have to go to the SMS alert link on Facebook page and click the cellphone logo. The next step is to fill up the SMS GupShup page that appears on screen. People will receive a verification code on their cellphone,which will have to be typed into the space for it. People will receive a confirmation SMS.”

He added,“The SMS service is free,the only charge people have to pay is that off the initial message for starting the subscription.”

Cell numbers that have DND (Do Not Disturb) service activated will not receive the SMS. “People will have to stop the DND service to receive SMSes,” Patil said.