Recent reports state that some of the top complaints the police receive from Vizagites are about noise pollution and traffic issues. The police and GVMC claim lack of awareness as the reason for these problems, saying that behavioural change is needed to curb them. Sources in the control room at the city police commissionerate told TOI that 40% of the complaints registered are through WhatsApp.
Most of the people WhatsApp the city police on 9493336633 regarding noise level and traffic congestion problems. The WhatsApp number that was launched this January has received 117 complaints through the same till March 19.
Most of the noise complaints are about creating noise in the name of religious prayers, practices and public party programmes like marriages. Most of the complaints are centred on Seethammadhara, Dwarakanagar and Maddilapalem.
Complaints about the traffic congestion on the other hand come in from Four Town and Three Town traffic police limits. The areas that come under these include RK Beach, MVP Colony, Maddilapalem, Isukathota and Siripuram Junction. Three town sub-inspector S Bhaskara Rao told TOI that the parking problems in the city were mostly due to street vendors and hawkers and road side food stalls.
He further stated, “We have a right to impose a case under Town Nuisance Act and send the offenders to court. But only GVMC has the sole right to permanently remove the roadside stalls and shops. We forward such cases to the GVMC zonal commissioners and they also responded well.” The GVMC zonal commissioners have cleared unauthorised food stalls and hawkers at Waltair Club, Beach Road, opposite Park Hotel and other locations in the city.
