Bhubaneswar, July 6: Puri police have recently launched a mobile-based application for android users keeping in mind the number of tourists set to throng the state for the upcoming Nabakalebar and rath yatra festivals.

The app, which was launched on July 4, has several features such as real-time traffic and temple ritual updates.

The app called, Puri Police, could be downloaded from Google play store. Though at present it is available only for android users, iOS users will also be able to enjoy it, but after three months.

"Users will be able to get contact numbers of police stations in the town. They will also get real-time traffic updates, along with information related to the parking of vehicles during Nabakalebar festival," said Puri superintendent of police Ashish Singh.

Tourists can also lodge reports of missing persons and other complaints such as grievances against hotels via the app.

"Users can get details of tourists destinations, hospitals, restaurants and hotels," said Singh.

A special section in the app feature details of Nabakalebar such as its history, the timings and reason for celebrating the festival. Besides, there is a section in which entry and exit routes for all vehicles have been mentioned.

"The app users can get information related to entry and exit routes for two-wheelers, private four-wheelers, passenger buses and inter-state buses during the Nabakalebar festival," said a police official.

As part of its preparations for the grand Nabakalebar festival, in May, Puri police had launched the official website - www.puripolice.nic.in. In December last year, they had also launched its Facebook page and started a toll-free number - 18002002524.

Tourists welcomed the initiative of Puri police and said the app would be extremely helpful for those visiting the state during the festival. "The app also contains the contact numbers, email ID and addresses of hotels," said Asmita Das, a tourist.

The private developer, who had designed Mo Saathi app for the police, has also developed the app for the Puri cops. On May 15, the app for women was launched in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. In case of an emergency, the user can send an alert by pressing the power or soft button five times. As soon as the button is pressed, the mobile phone's camera would start automatically and capture a 30-second audiovisual recording that would be transmitted to the police control room immediately.