Marshals off to Kumbh, only 11 constables to manage traffic

NOIDA: With over one-third of its staff on security duty at Kumbh Mela and the Noida Authority withdrawing 70 marshals, the traffic police is now left with only 11 constables to cater to over 100 major intersections in Gautam Budh Nagar.

Though the term for the 70 traffic marshals deployed on the payroll of Noida Authority was to end on December 30, the district traffic police said it received the final letter on Thursday. The Authority had in August last year withdrawn 292 marshals, who were hired for two months after repeated requests by then Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Ajay Pal Sharma, following the expiry of their terms.

Currently, the district traffic police has a staff strength of 167 — 53 constables, 38 head constables (promotee), 68 head constables, two traffic sub-inspectors and six traffic inspectors. Of them, 38 — 22 constables, 13 head constables, two head constables (promotee) and one traffic inspector — have been deployed at Kumbh Mela being held in Prayagraj.

Further, 20 constables, four head constables, one sub-inspector and one traffic inspector have gone on Republic Day parade preparations duty. And has effectively left the traffic police with onl y 103 cops, including just 11 constables who are mainly deployed on busy roads, officials said.

SP (traffic) Anil Jha admitted the lack of staff strength was a major deterrent in management of traffic. While there are about 300 intersections in Noida and Greater Noida, traffic cops say there is virtually no deployment in Jewar, Dadri and Greater Noida as Noida city area always gets priority over these areas.

The new district police chief, Vaibhav Krishna, told TOI he was seized of the issue. “We will see whether small traffic-related issues falling in the jurisdiction of a particular police station can be resolved by at its level,” he said.

However, with the civil police strength low, it remains to be seen how the plan takes off.

Noida Authority CEO did not respond to queries.