For tourists and athletes, and much for the general public, the Delhi Police has decided to rope in seven radio channels in the Capital to disseminate information about the Games tournaments, general alerts, traffic situation and diversions during the October 3-14 event.

This was revealed to Newsline by Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal in an interview last week. Dadwal said “the force was making all possible arrangements for the citizens of Delhi for the Games” and that they are “100 per cent ready”.

Six private channels, including Radio City 91.1, Red FM 93.5, Radio Mirchi 98.3, and one channel of All India Radio would be used by Delhi Police. Advertisements about general safety and servant and tenant verification have already started playing on these channels. “The paid slots of these radio FM channels would be used during the Games. All the information would be given during the ads and they would be frequent,” Delhi Police PRO Rajan Bhagat said.

A senior officer said that general information, including police control room numbers, helplines for tourists, women safety helpline numbers, ambulance numbers and traffic police numbers, would be shared through these ads which are being made by Delhi Police. He said radio will mostly help in keeping the general public aware of the traffic scenario, the jams and diversions that are expected due to athletes’ and VIP movement.

The Delhi Police, which is already using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to connect with the public, had earlier planned a dedicated FM channel for the Games. Officials, however, said the plan did not materialise.

“Owning a separate channel is very costly and a lot of funds would have gone in it, which we have already utilised in security arrangements for the Games. We will use the existing FM channels and take maximum slot from them, especially during peak hours,” said an officer.