Delhi traffic police plans app feature for citizens to report faulty signals

At a busy junction, a faintly flickering red light suddenly went out. Within moments, confusion set in—cars moved ahead only to stop abruptly, bikers weaved between buses, and auto-rickshaws swerved into the wrong lane. In the midst of the disorder, a traffic constable tried to manage what the failed signal could not. Such situations unfold regularly whenever one of the city’s 1,000-plus signals breaks down, leading to congestion and higher accident risks.

To find a solution, Delhi Traffic Police (DTP) is considering letting citizens become the first line of reporting. An additional feature in its Traffic Prahari app would allow commuters to instantly flag faulty signals.

"The discussions have started. Once the technical details are worked out, we will move ahead. If successful, this will not only speed up repairs (of signals), but also open the door to better planning in the long run," Special CP (Traffic) Ajay Chaudhary said.

Launched in 2015 and revamped in 2024, Traffic Prahari has turned thousands of Delhiites into digital traffic marshals. With nearly one lakh users and about six lakh violations reported so far, the app has created what officials call a "parallel enforcement network", with citizens flagging helmetless bikers, triple riders and cars parked on footpaths.

But traffic signals, until now, have slipped through the cracks. Complaints about faulty signals usually come piecemeal via calls to the helpline, officers on patrol, or messages on social media, where frustrated commuters often tag DTP.

Recently, a citizen posted on X: "The traffic light at Dwarka Sector 16B crossroad, near Delhi Police quarters, is not working. With one road already blocked for construction, this has become very dangerous. Urgent attention requested."

Another flagged a long-running issue: "The signal near Inderlok metro station naala bridge crossing has not worked for 2-3 years, causing daily accidents."

Currently, once such complaints reach Traffic Police, officers coordinate with the maintenance agency to repair the signal. But the system remains fragmented.

"There are multiple ways to receive complaints, but no single, synchronised channel. That's where Traffic Prahari could step in. If the new feature is integrated, commuters can report malfunctioning signals with just a few taps, feeding directly into a centralised system. Over time, this could create a live database, helping us map and prioritise repairs more efficiently," Chaudhary said.

(With TOI inputs)