Bhubaneswar, Aug. 9: The traffic wing of police have inducted 37 students under the volunteer scheme to assist traffic personnel.

According to the scheme launched in January, the student volunteers will receive a stipend of Rs 100 daily for three hours of work.

The police said the volunteers have been deployed at various traffic intersections already. The addition of the 37 recruits takes the total number of volunteers to 146.

"The students underwent a one-week basic training programme where they learnt about traffic signs and other rules. They have been deployed at major traffic intersections, including Rasulgarh, Rupali Square and Jayadev Vihar Square, to assist our men," said deputy commissioner of police (traffic) M.N. Bohidar.

The scheme was introduced to tackle manpower shortage in the city's traffic wing. Currently, around 250 traffic personnel, including constables, home guards and personnel of the Odisha Auxiliary Police Force man 58 traffic intersections across the city.

"The city's vehicular population has crossed the million mark and in this situation, the existing manpower is not adequate to efficiently manage traffic. The volunteers have been roped in to manage traffic and create awareness among youths. They have been asked them to perform their duty in the morning and evening to ensure that their studies are not hampered," said a police officer. The volunteers are reporting for service from 9am to 12pm and 5pm to 8pm.

The police said each volunteer will serve for six months. There is a provision to renew their services every six months till they finished their studies. The volunteers will also be provided with certificates upon completion of service. The students need to take permission from the heads of their institutes before being inducted into the scheme.