Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19: The transport department has started serving notices on traffic violators detected through android-based mobile app Ame Prahari.

The mobile app was launched on October 5 last year to enable citizens of the state capital to send photographs and videos of various incidents of traffic violation.

Regional transport officer (Bhubaneswar II) S.K. Behera said that so far around 200 violations had been detected through the app.

"Subsequently, we have served notices on 102 violators. The remaining violators will also be served notices shortly," said Behera.

A transport official said most of the app users sending pictures and videos of traffic violations were not been able to film the registration plate, making it difficult for the authority to ascertain the vehicle owner.

"We have been receiving hundreds of photographs and videos of traffic violations through the app. Most of the violations involved two-wheelers," he said, adding that more than 1,000 users so far had downloaded the app.

The transport department said most of the traffic violations detected through the app included over-crowded vehicles ferrying passengers, motorcyclists using mobile phones while driving, wrong-side driving and riding without helmets.

Android phone users need to download the app from Google play store and register his or her name. After that, the user needs to register his or her mobile number and address, which will be kept secret to the operator.

After successful registration, the user will get a confirmation message, along with an ID number.

The transport official said the user needed to mention the location of the incident, along with the date and time of the incident.

However, the official said there should be a massive awareness drive to popularise the app and its utility.

"Most of the people in the state are not aware of such app. Our motive was to detect traffic violations related to vehicles, especially buses and other passenger ones. Most of the time, traffic enforcement is stringent in the urban areas," he said.

"We, therefore, wanted to make the app popular in the semi-urban areas and encourage local people to actively take part in the drive against traffic violations. But, the app so far has not been able to draw attention of the people from semi-urban and rural areas," he added.