Beyond the Uniform: Hyderabad Traffic cop goes viral spreading awareness online
Hyderabad: From battling scorching heat to monsoon rains, many traffic constables in Hyderabad brave all weather conditions to keep the city moving. But 39-year-old Shankar Rambal, presently deployed with Banjara Hills traffic police, goes beyond his call of duty. He creates awareness on social media.
Rambal, known as ‘BOLUKING’ on social media, this Banjara Hills traffic constable has emerged as a digital influencer with nearly 60,000 followers on Instagram. Every day, Rambal connects with citizens through his Instagram handle ‘boluking_official’, greeting them with a warm “Namaste” or “Salam.” His 30-second videos cover crucial topics from helmet safety to proper driving practices, making road safety education accessible to thousands.
Speaking to HyderabadMail, Shankar Rambal said regarding his inspiration, “A few months ago, I saw a video of my colleague explaining how his relative fell victim to a cyber crime and lost around Rs 40,000. This inspired me to create videos on traffic violations, job notifications, and cyber crime awareness.”
“What began as a simple job notification post with just 5,000 followers has grown into a community of close to 60,000 in eleven months,” says Rambal. Balancing his traffic duties with content creation, Rambal has become a trusted source. Speaking about managing duty with content creation, he said, “I make only 30-second videos which are manageable. My primary aim is to ensure the public is informed about traffic awareness.”
Uses social media to combat cybercrime and traffic violations
Furthermore, also dispel rumors and disinformation regarding traffic police. In a recent video, he met a city rider who said the traffic police constable would get Rs 35 for each photograph. However, it was not the case that the Hyderabad traffic police, if caught a violation through camera, they charge Rs 35 extra as user charges. The user charges were imposed according to Government Order 307, 2012. These charges include the fee for the software update, buying cameras, paying software developers, paper, printing and delivery cost.
His influence extends beyond traffic awareness. Rambal recalls a touching incident, “While on duty, a differently abled person offered tea. Finding it curious, when I enquired, he said he lost his leg 4 years ago and was hoping for a handicapped pension. He wanted to meet the Chief Minister to share his agony and was asking about the CM residence. I informed him about the procedures, suggested meeting the MPDO, and made a video of the same four months ago. On 21 November, I received a call from him stating that his pension application was accepted and he would get it next month.These moments make it all worthwhile.”
Beyond traffic regulations, Rambal’s social media presence has evolved to include cybercrime awareness and job notifications, making him a versatile digital resource for Hyderabad’s citizens.
