Karnataka: Eight students injured as private school bus overturns in Udupi district

Udupi Police use digital LED walls to spread awareness and share real-time public information

The officials verified vehicle documents, fitness certificates, insurance, driving licences and compliance with mandatory safety norms for school transport. Udupi: Udupi Police registered 203 cases and collected fines amounting to Rs 71,000 during a district-wide special drive on Tuesday to check school vehicles and ensure the safety of students. Manipal: After creating awareness on road safety, traffic rules and drug abuse through rallies, campaigns, posters and workshops, the Udupi Police have now adopted a digital approach to connect with the public. The department has installed Variable Message Sign (VMS) LED walls at five locations across the district to display useful public information and safety messages. The initiative aims to reach students, commuters and tourists by placing the digital display boards at bus stands, traffic junctions and other crowded public spaces. Where have the LED walls been installed? Udupi is not only a major tourist destination but also one of Karnataka's leading educational hubs, attracting thousands of students every year. Keeping this in mind, the police have installed the VMS boards at locations with heavy pedestrian and vehicular movement. The LED walls have been installed at Clock Tower Circle and Kalsanka Traffic Junction in Udupi, MIT Campus in Manipal, Karkala Bus Stand, and Shastri Circle in Kundapura. Similar systems have also been introduced in Mangaluru and Chikkamagaluru under the Mangaluru police range. One display, multiple uses The digital boards are being used not only for public awareness campaigns but also to share traffic updates, emergency alerts and weather-related information. The system is equipped with speakers whose volume can be increased during emergencies to attract public attention. In case of traffic congestion, accidents or road closures due to VIP movement, motorists are informed about alternative routes through the display boards. The LED walls are also used to screen short videos highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and the consequences of violating traffic rules. How do the digital walls work? The LED display boards are clearly visible during both day and night. Each board operates using a dedicated SIM card and is managed remotely from the District Police Control Room, where officials can upload messages and announcements in real time. A private company from Kerala installed the boards. According to officials, the installation, along with five years of maintenance, has cost approximately Rs 12 lakh per board.