The Bengaluru traffic police (BTP) want a cap on the number of licences issued to app-based taxis as a solution to the traffic situation in the city, and they are planning to write to the transport authorities recommending them to stop issuing fresh licences.
Bengaluru has over 78 lakh vehicles, of which more than 30,000 are app-based taxis, P. Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said here on Saturday at a workshop to discuss traffic-related issues. A majority of these taxis operate round the clock.
“This [restricting the number of licences] will not be a solution, but it would at least be a temporary attempt to curb traffic congestion and parking issues,” he said.
The traffic police will also hold talks with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) and recommend finding land for parking lots for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. As of now, parking facility is limited to some metro stations , said Mr. Harishekaran.
They will also write to the Railway authorities to check feasibility of integrating BMTC service with the city railway station.
At Bengaluru city railway station, there is only one subway that connects the terminus with the Majestic bus stand and that too is blocked on both sides by hawkers, hindering pedestrian and passenger movement, he said.
The traffic police have identified 5,494 locations in the city where both bullet and pan-tilt-zoom cameras will be installed soon. This is in addition to the 731 cameras installed in the central business district and other sensitive areas of the city.
Ten prominent junctions in the city have been installed with red light violation detectors (RLVD) cameras. These cameras can document violations without human interface, as the camera automatically records traffic violations and sends footage to the BTP’s server after which a challan is sent to the offender’s address, officials said.
The city traffic police are also planning to summon all number plate mechanics and sticker vendors and conduct a workshop for them to use the registration number font size and number plate shape in accordance with the Indian Motor Vehicle Act guidelines. “If the number plate mechanics or sticker vendors do not fall in line, they will also be prosecuted along with the offender,” Mr. Harishekaran said.
The BTP will soon form a squad in each of its division to check on motorcycle stunt riding. “An anti-drag racing and wheeling squad will be formed, led by an assistant sub-inspector, and two head constables and police constables who will conduct drives in their respective divisions to curb the stunt riding/driving menace,” the officer said.