Kolkata: 37 traffic officers reshuffled two months before Pujas

KOLKATA: City police commissioner Anuj Sharma has directed a large-scale transfer of traffic police inspectors. Among the 37 transferred, 28 have been given fresh challenges as OCs and additional OCs in key traffic guards, while the remaining nine were moved out of key posts.
The CP’s order came barely two months ahead of Durga Puja and at a time when the collapsed Majherhat bridge is likely to increase traffic load along roads connecting Behala and South 24-Paragnas with Kolkata. “The transfers were done after an assessment of work done in their present posts,” said an officer. Sources indicated that such large-scale transfers ahead of Pujas is unprecedented.
Sources said the officers given tougher assignments had performed well during the two-month intensive naka checks at night to act against errant bikes and traffic violations. “These transfers are an indication that the CP wants these drives to continue,” an officer said, adding, “The transfer orders are a clear indication that the CP is ready to act tough when required. OCs of several key traffic guards have been replaced.”
A bulk of these transfers has been in south Kolkata, including Tollygunge, Regent Park, Jadavpur, James Long Sarani, Diamond Harbour Road, Thakurpukur and Behala. “These are also the places which will witness a higher traffic volume during the Pujas,” an officer said.
According to Lalbazar sources, Sharma has been repeatedly stressing that officers should reach out to people in distress and it should not be the other way around. “Traffic cops are the most visible among police forces. People approach them for various needs. Along with their duties, they should also address these issues and work in close coordination with the respective police stations. In some instances, a few lapses had been noticed. In several others, cops have stepped beyond their call of duty to help people. The transfers are also aimed to indicate that the latter is the new norm,” an officer said.