Patna, Jan. 20: This afternoon, commuters had a harrowing time on the Bailey Road stretch, from Hartali Chowk to Income Tax roundabout, because of traffic congestion for around one-and-a-half hours.

Update on Patna traffic police website (www.patnatrafficpolice.in): Danapur-Gandhi Maidan, heavy jam on this route

Thursday afternoon, too, Bailey Road was chock-a-block, thanks to a religious procession passing through the route.

Update on police website: Danapur-Gandhi Maidan, heavy jam on this route

Ironic it may sound, but the route mentioned on the website was literally a joyride on both the days; only minor clogging was seen near the Rajapur Pul area. The website, however, did not have any update on the Bailey Road jam.

The website, which was launched with much fanfare on December 24 last year, seems to be making a mockery of itself as well as the commuters who log in to it for traffic updates. The website has recorded at least 8,907 hits since its launch.

For the past few weeks, it has been running the same text, which is not only outdated but also misleading.

While launching the website, the police had announced that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed at four strategic locations — Dakbungalow roundabout, Exhibition Road, Income Tax roundabout and Station Road. The cameras were supposed to give live feed of the traffic condition, based on which the police would have updated the website.

A timeframe of around three weeks was fixed to place the CCTV cameras. However, the cameras are still to be installed and the website is yet to be updated, police sources said. A helpline number (0612-2219543) had also been started along with the website. The number is proving more useful than the online facility, but the traffic information supplied on phone is based on hourly updates given by field officers.

“The helpline number is functional and people are being given information. The updates come to the helpline through many sector in-charges posted in the different corners. But one cannot say if the information is accurate as the updates come after an interval,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

“Though I am not sure about it, the text running on the traffic website can be just an example to show the people how online updates would appear once the cameras are installed and live feed is received,” the officer added.

Patna senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar said: “I will inquire about the camera installation from the agency assigned the work. It is a Patna-based firm.”