Cuttack, Aug. 7: The Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police’s much-awaited traffic helpline system will be introduced on Friday to improve the traffic management system in Cuttack.

Director-general of police Prakash Mishra will inaugurate the toll-free number — 1095 — at the control room of the traffic police station at Madhupatna. Senior officials said the introduction of the number was the first step towards the modernisation of the existing traffic police station in the city. A traffic helpline in Bhubaneswar is also being contemplated.

“Our goal is to provide immediate assistance to the commuters in case of any emergency or traffic congestion. The toll-free number will also be helpful in containing crime,” said police commissioner Sunil Roy.

There were plans to upgrade the traffic helpline, with the introduction of the global positioning system (GPS) to monitor the movement of the police control room (PCR) vans, which had already been introduced in Bhubaneswar, said Roy.

He said that in case of any accident on National Highway 5, which connected Cuttack to Bhubaneswar, immediate assistance would be provided.

Senior citizens could also use the number for any kind of assistance, Roy said

Traffic sources said two traffic constables would be deployed at the control room from 8am to 10pm in two shifts, while one constable would be engaged from 10pm to 8am.

The conversation between the receiver (constable) and the caller on the toll free traffic helpline would be recorded to ensure that the callers do not face any kind of harassment.

Cuttack city has been divided into five sectors and a detailed chart of the 19 PCR vans and areas under their jurisdiction would be put up at the control room.

This will help the traffic constables to communicate with the PCR through the wireless for timely action in case of any urgency.

“This system should have been introduced earlier so we could immediately report any traffic related problems directly to the officials through the toll free number,” said Manoj Sahu, a resident of Buxi Bazar.

However, as only BSNL mobile and other landline users can use the toll free helpline numbers, many have also demanded for extension of such facility to other mobile subscribers.

Traffic officials said they had already taken up the issue with the authorities of BSNL and things were likely to be sorted out at the earliest.