As part of its Raising Day celebrations from January 2 to 8, the Navi Mumbai police held an interaction with residents to understand the problems they face on Tuesday.
Citizens put forward their woes on issues such as traffic congestion, stalking, chain snatching, speeding on Palm Beach Road, and need for security outside schools to manage traffic. Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar listened intently and replied to every query.
Mr. Kumar said, “Complaints against corrupt and rude behaviour by the police was not mentioned by any citizen. I am happy about it, but I know that is not the truth. Both these issues exist. That there can be no progress without conflict is what I believe in. We are trying our best to reduce conflicts as well. Instead of increasing manpower, it should be replaced by technology. We are looking into how that technology can be developed to help us improve policing.”
When a resident of Belapur suggested reducing the circumference of the Konkan Bhavan circle on Sion-Panvel Highway to ease traffic, Mr. Kumar said it would get the job done by CIDCO. He said, “Our traffic department has already put forward that request to CIDCO and they have accepted it.”
Soon after residents raised complaints of illegal parking in Taloja, Mr. Kumar directed senior inspector Ajay Landge from Taloja to coordinate with the traffic department and take action against the guilty. The residents pointed out that motorists parked their vehicles in unauthorised areas even though paid parking zones had been created in Taloja. Mr. Kumar said, “When I joined the Navi Mumbai police, eight to 10 cases of chain snatching used to be reported in a week. Now, the figure has dropped to one or two.”
To tackle incidents of stalking, Mr. Kumar said all senior inspectors would be instructed to meet principals of junior college to arrive at a solution. He said, “Many schools and colleges do not come forward with complaints as they fear the reputation of the institute would be affected. We conveyed the importance of early reporting of complaints to principals at an event on Monday.”
Mr. Kumar said that delay in the completion of roadwork by local authorities had created traffic congestion in a few areas. He said, “We have migratory traffic coming from Mumbai, Thane and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. There are also major highways in our jurisdiction. Our priority is to have moving traffic and not if its slow or fast traffic.” Mr. Kumar said it would not be possible to deploy traffic police personnel outside every school. He requested school authorities to take up the responsibility of ensuring students cross the roads safely.
The Navi Mumbai police also held an exhibition showcasing its latest technology in CCTV cameras, forensics, bomb disposal and wireless communication.