City Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh on Friday directed the traffic police to launch a crackdown against city buses in which passengers are not issued tickets by conductors.
Responding to numerous complaints during the weekly phone-in programme here, the Commissioner asked the traffic police to keep the drive alive at all times. Callers said conductors do not issue tickets, particularly on Route No. 15 (Mangaladevi-Surathkal). Often conductors ridicule passengers who demand tickets, they said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Manjunath Shetty informed the Commissioner that police had booked seven cases against errant conductors of seven buses at Mangaladevi on Thursday. Mr. Suresh said buses of frequent offenders may be detained for sometime so that conductors would learn a lesson.
Protruding objects
A caller from Bikarnakatte told the Commissioner that public safety was at danger from mini-goods vehicles that carry construction material which protrude out of the vehicles. They do not even flag such protruding objects, he said.
He also urged the police to ensure buses, city as well as service and express, halt at the designated bay off Karavali Circle towards Pumpwell at Kankanady. All buses halt very close to the Junction, thereby affecting vehicular movement as well endangering public life, he said. Mr. Suresh promised action in both the cases.
Another caller said the time given for pedestrian crossing (20 seconds) at the PVS Circle was insufficient and urged the police to increase the same. The Circle witnesses heavy footfalls and pedestrians find it difficult to cross the road at a time when many vehicle drivers jump signals too, he said.
Two-wheelers being parked on the footpath in front of KMC multi-speciality hospital off Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Jyothi) Circle block pedestrian movement, rued another caller. He said people are forced to walk on the busy road risking their life. Mr. Suresh promised suitable action.
Service road at Malemar Junction
The Police Commissioner said a service road will be provided for movement of small vehicles from Malemar Juntion to Kottara Chowki on National Highway 66.
Interacting with reporters after the weekly phone-in programme here, the Commissioner said at present vehicles from Malemar Junction ply on the opposite direction of the traffic flow on the carriageway towards Pumpwell. Though police book cases, the practice is going on as otherwise vehicle users have to move till Kuntikana Junction to take a U-turn towards Kottara Chowki.
He asked traffic police to allow only small vehicles on the service road while buses have to ply via Kuntikana Junction.
He also directed the traffic police to shift the bus shelter near Hampanakatte traffic signal a little behind, in front of the J.V. Son’s building, to prevent clogging of the Hampanakatte Main Road.