Mumbai: In a first, the Mumbai traffic police will be setting up a separate team of traffic officials to monitor the traffic management and road diversions in the wake of chain of festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Visarjan, Navratri, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The police will be adding extra manpower by cancelling the granted leaves of traffic police officials in order to have all hands on the deck.
In addition to the five traffic police control rooms that have been set up at important immersion spots — Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Chowpatty, Bada Masjid in Bandra, Juhu Chowpatty and Ganesh Ghat in Powai, the traffic department is also looking over with the help of more than 5,000 CCTV cameras installed in the city. With more than 3,161 traffic officers and 1,570 traffic wardens it will regulate traffic flow on the ground, the police will monitor the movement of the city on a multi window screen.
The team, consisting of 10 officials, have been given special duties of checking the footage and reporting the same to the nearest traffic chowki in case of any untoward incident taking place. A senior official, who did not wished to be named, said, “The team has been formed to provide a technical back-office support to the existing manpower on the ground. They will be the eyes in the air, only to ensure all processions go smoothly.”
The traffic police will also be scouring through the streets with all senior officials on ground to ensure a smooth passage of the procession and festivities. Along with traffic police officers traffic wardens, various NGOs are also assisting the traffic police in their endeavour. Volunteers from Civil Defence, Anirudha’s Academy of Disaster Management, RSP Teachers, Water Safety Patrol, NSS Students, and Scouts and Guides will help maintain traffic flow. The special team which has been operational for the first time might be present in all major festivities like Navratri, Diwali, New Year’s Eve, Holi once the senior officials deem it necessary.