New Citizen Sentinel App Unveiled in Kerala for Traffic Monitoring

In a significant move to enhance traffic law enforcement, Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has launched the Citizen Sentinel mobile application, empowering citizens to actively participate in ensuring road safety. The app allows users to report traffic violations in real time by capturing photos or videos of infractions and uploading them for review by enforcement officials.

Launch Details

• Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) launched the Citizen Sentinel mobile application to enable citizens to report traffic violations in real time.
• The app was introduced on 18th October, 2024 and allows users to capture and upload photos or videos of traffic offenses.

State-Wise Adoption

• Kerala is the third state in India to implement the mParivahan Citizen Sentinel app, following Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the app includes added features, such as the ability to upload images and videos from mobile phone galleries.

Accessibility

• The NextGen mParivahan app is available for download on both the App Store and Google Play.

Functionality and Features

Reporting Mechanism

• Citizens can report live traffic violations by submitting evidence through the ‘Citizen Sentinel’ section of the mParivahan app.
• The MVD will verify the reports and take appropriate legal action, including fines and vehicle seizures.

Evidence Collection

• The app uses GPS data to provide the exact location and time of incidents, ensuring that the identity of reporters remains confidential.

Ministerial Launch

• Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar demonstrated the app by reporting a vehicle parked in a no-parking zone, highlighting the app’s functionality.

Strengthening Enforcement

The app aims to enhance traffic rule enforcement by addressing real-time offenses, including:

• Speeding
• Illegal overtaking
• Drunken driving
• Triple riding on bikes
• Lane violations
• Not wearing seat belts

Deterrence Factor

• The app’s presence aims to deter drivers from violating traffic rules by removing the predictability of enforcement checks, such as those conducted by CCTV cameras.

Future Developments

Ongoing Trials and Features

• The app is currently in a trial phase, with plans to introduce additional features, such as the option to upload images from phone galleries.
• Minister Ganesh Kumar noted that the final version of the app is expected to be launched in a couple of months.

Complaint Processing

• Complaints registered by citizens will be sent to relevant Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) through a server based in Delhi.
• Enforcement authorities are required to verify the complaints and take action within a specified timeframe.

Community Feedback

• Local leaders, including MLA Uma Thomas and Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar, praised the initiative and requested the MVD to identify suitable locations for storing vehicles confiscated for traffic violations to prevent congestion and safety hazards.
• The launch event was attended by various officials from the NIC and MVD, as well as local legislators, underscoring community and governmental support for the initiative.